Love hormone tested as opioid alternative in pain study

This early study is testing whether oxytocin (a hormone sometimes called the 'love hormone') given as a nasal spray can help reduce pain and make opioid painkillers less appealing. Researchers will give 45 healthy recreational opioid users oxytocin or a placebo spray along with oxycodone or a placebo pill during six lab sessions. They'll measure pain levels, brain activity, and how much participants like the drug effects to see if oxytocin could help people use fewer opioids for pain.