Oxytocin
aka the "cuddle hormone"
It is an organic compound belonging to the carboxylic
acid
functional group.
It also happens to be a hormone & neurotransmitter
Oxytocin 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.