Oxytocin

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I anticipated that somebody would say this, and i'd say it's a fair criticism. But on the occasions when I genuinely don't want to talk to anybody, I feel that way because I feel it would be a waste of time, and that they'd never understand me anyway. That, or because I feel that they would only bore me with mundane and unintelligent conversation. An Oxytocin deficit wouldn't make me think that, an Oxytocin deficit would just make me feel completely indifferent to human company, without a logical reason.

I still feel lonely when I have nobody to talk to, and lonliness is a product of healthy Oxytocin levels. So I can't speak for other Autistics, but I think my Oxytocin levels are just fine.

I was under the impression that oxytocin levels go up when people are in supportive relationships - something I read with respect to experiments on monogamous rodents of some sort or other, whose oxytocin levels naturally rise as their relationships progress. (It was in Shelley Taylor's book The Tending Instinct.) So yes, you can boost people's oxytocin levels, and it will effect how they react to other people, but wouldn't a proper social support network be just as effective?

The article also says that oxytocin can be bought as a nasal spray in most countries. I will try to buy some and use myself as a guinea pig to see if it makes me more sociable or not. If anyone comes across a website selling this stuff do let me know.

The hug drug topic

Interesting information on this neurotransmitter. I have a hunch this brain chemical is diminished in AS, and probably more so after menopause. I did not like the information that it is involved in trust formation and can interfere in learning situations. I have had three children and breast fed because it is better for their health, and I guess there was some release of it which may have helped me bond better with them, but I would not want to interfering with my brain processes at any other time. Beware, Aspies.

l-arginine boosts oxytocin