Abstract
This article focuses on polypeptides relevant to social behavior and cognition, namely oxytocin and vasopressin. Relationships of these neuropeptide systems with prosocial behavior and stress reactivity are discussed, along with the biological mechanisms involved. Applications for improving mental health involve social elicitors of endogenous oxytocin release. Thus, oxytocin and vasopressin are pivotal for the brain–body coordination of social behaviors and well-being.