Physical Intimacy and Oxytocin Aid Stress Reduction and Enhance Wound Healing: JAMA
Germany: Researchers have found in a new study that intimate physical contact lowers cortisol levels and, together with oxytocin, enhances wound healing. These results suggest that integrating relationship-based and neurohormonal approaches could improve health and recovery from illness.
The randomized clinical trial, published in JAMA Psychiatry and led by Ekaterina Schneider from the Institute of Medical Psychology at University Hospital Heidelberg, explored how social behavior and hormonal pathways interact to influence physical healing. Although strong social bonds are long known to support better health and longevity, the biological mechanisms behind these benefits remain under investigation.
The study aimed to fill that gap by examining how repeated intranasal oxytocin, combined with positive couple interactions and daily physical intimacy, affects dermatological wound healing and neuroendocrine responses.
The trial involved 80 heterosexual romantic couples, who underwent a controlled laboratory procedure where four small suction-blister wounds were administered on their forearms. After the initial visit, participants entered a week-long assessment phase that included laboratory sessions and ecological momentary evaluations. Over this period, individuals were asked to self-administer either intranasal oxytocin or a placebo twice daily and, depending on their assigned group, take part in structured positive interactions such as the Partner Appreciation Task (PAT).
Throughout the week, couples provided saliva samples multiple times per day for cortisol analysis and reported their stress levels and interactions with their partners. Wound healing was assessed 24 hours after injury and again on day seven. In total, the study collected more than 5,700 real-time data points regarding stress, intimacy, and daily experiences.
The study led to the following notable findings:
- Couples who received oxytocin along with the positive interaction activity showed signs of improved wound healing, though the effects were not consistently strong across all analyses.
- More pronounced healing benefits were observed when oxytocin was combined with daily affectionate touch or sexual activity.
- Participants who engaged in higher levels of physical intimacy experienced lower cortisol levels, reflecting reduced physiological stress.
- Oxytocin or positive interaction tasks on their own did not lead to significant improvements in wound healing.
- The combination of oxytocin with natural, spontaneous intimacy resulted in more measurable healing benefits.
- The findings indicate that oxytocin functions more as a facilitator that enhances the positive effects of supportive relationships rather than as a direct therapeutic agent.
The researchers note important limitations, including the narrow age range of participants, the exclusive focus on healthy heterosexual couples, and the limited time points used to evaluate healing. Variability in adherence to the behavioral task and lack of standardized measures for intimacy also constrain the interpretation of findings.
Even so, the study offers early evidence that combining neurohormonal modulation with relational behaviors may support physical recovery. The authors emphasize that oxytocin likely functions as a “social amplifier” rather than a stand-alone therapy, underscoring the importance of larger and more diverse studies to further explore this pathway.
Reference:
Schneider E, Hernández C, Brock R, et al. Intranasal Oxytocin and Physical Intimacy for Dermatological Wound Healing and Neuroendocrine Stress: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online November 12, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.3705
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