October 11, 2025

How Oxytocin Shapes the Friendships That Protect Your Health

6 minutes

Strong friendships increase survival rates by about 50%, making them as important for your health as diet, exercise, or quitting smoking
Oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone, determines who you trust and how quickly you form lasting connections
When oxytocin signaling is disrupted, friendships take longer to form, feel weaker, and lose their emotional reward
Research in animals shows that friendship is an evolved survival strategy found across many species, not just humans
You can strengthen your own friendships by focusing on fewer, deeper connections, sharing rewarding experiences, and maintaining consistent contact

...more

By Dr. Mercola

4.6

14871,487 ratings

October 11, 2025

6 minutes

Strong friendships increase survival rates by about 50%, making them as important for your health as diet, exercise, or quitting smoking
Oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone, determines who you trust and how quickly you form lasting connections
When oxytocin signaling is disrupted, friendships take longer to form, feel weaker, and lose their emotional reward
Research in animals shows that friendship is an evolved survival strategy found across many species, not just humans
You can strengthen your own friendships by focusing on fewer, deeper connections, sharing rewarding experiences, and maintaining consistent contact

...more