Spray the loneliness away with oxytocin nasal spray. A team of doctors have recently studied the effects of oxytocin — dubbed the love hormone — on individuals who are experiencing loneliness, a condition linked to mental and physical illnesses, using an oxytocin-infused nasal spray. The results showed a decrease of feeling lonely for several months after one treatment — it even strengthened the cohort’s ability to connect with people.

Doctors are optimistic — but there’s a slight hiccup: The study sample size was small and distinction between types of loneliness can be difficult, but doctors suggest that it was a significant help to reduce the loneliness feeling and could aid in supporting the therapeutic process, especially at the beginning of therapy when patients often feel more distressed.

But hold your noses, it’s not a cure: The study suggests that it could have positive effects when combined with other treatments, aka Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Group Therapy, or Pharmacotherapy.

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