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Oxytocin and HCG : New weapons in the future of pain management?









Have you ever heard of oxytocin?  It is a naturally occurring hormone/neurotransmitter.  If you have heard of it, you probably know that it has a role in pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. It is also a powerful neurotransmitter, and has a role in pair bonding.  Human chorionic gonadotropin is another hormone produced in pregnancy; its usual role is in the production of progesterone in the first trimester.
These two substances have recently been under investigation for a possible role in pain management. Although studies are very early on, there is some excitement about the possibilities!


A recent small scale study by PAINWeek faculty member Forest Tennant, MD, DrPH, indicated that  administration of oxytocin and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to 9 patients resulted in a 30-40% decrease in pain in 7 of the 9 patients studied. In addition, these patients reported longer pain free periods between flares, and the need for pain medication was reduced by 30-40 percent.  Although this is a small study, it is indeed promising for the millions of people who suffer from chronic pain.

You can read more about this exciting development here.


Sources: PainWeek, fotopedia,psychology today,wikimedia

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