Oxytocin
aka the "cuddle hormone"
It is an organic compound belonging to the carboxylic acid
functional group.
It also happens to be a hormone &
neurotransmitterOxytocin is released during orgasm, social recognition
(i.e. making friends), bonding (when you start to fancy
that guy/girl you've been chatting with for the last God
knows how long), anxiety and a number of other relating
events.
This is where it gets its cuddle hormone nickname from.
It plays a large part in female
reproduction where it
is released in large quantities during childbirth and
breastfeeding
It is also rumoured that eating dark chocolate slowly
can cause its release.
This may be why dark chocolate is considered an
aphrodisiac.