Oxytocin - the Love hormone. Deficient in ASDs

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I have already posted this thread and foolishly tried to explain the physiology involved with the natural functioning of Oxytocin, without any reference to medical articles I have come across to back up my thinking.


So I will try to stick with what I do know via my own experience -
Oxytocin is pumped throughout the body during stimulation and ejaculated out of the body, along with the semen. So as it may relax us, it also depletes our capacity and interest for further connection. (Sound familiar fellas?).

It is responsible for the feelings of connection between members of the same species and as other people have indicated, other mammals. They have Oxytocin as well.

When we feel connected the production of sexual can increase. This is a more obvious effect of Oxytocin. The interesting thing about it is the more you get the more you desire connection and the less you get the less you wish to be near people. Sound familiar?

So we find ourselves in a catch-22 situation with regards Oxytocin. This is where diet comes in. (But there are sooo many other ways of increasing Oxytocin. If anyone is interested, I would love to share my research). I am personally focussing my efforts on diet, believing that the increase in Oxytocin will increase my tolerance and eventual desire for human company. And it is slowly working too!

If I can share a few easy ways with you: warmth (a warm bath, warm humid climate, soft music, warm colours, warm water rather than cool, pets, doing what you enjoy, sunlight of course, broad spectrum indoor lighting); Essential Fatty Acids (coconut oil is a miracle! but cold pressed organic oils generally, especially sesame and sunflower, avocado but only if you're digestion is good, warm nut mylks, organic Epsom salt baths); most importantly though, minerals (Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc). Do not underestimate the importance of these Alkalising minerals. We are not machines. We have natural requirements. And don't mess with synthetic supplements. Look for mineral supplements derived from plant sources, especially liquids as they are absorbed and assimilated better by the body.

I am extremely interested in discussing this with anyone further as I have dedicated myself to it and my own healing.

KemoreJ,

Please stop spamming this topic. Your obvious errors and ignorance of human physiology indicate that you have little or no formal training in medicine, biology, or endocrinology. There is little or no reason to believe that you know anything about the subject matter in the first place.

Fnord

Its in your brain...

KJ, you seem to have things mixed up. "Anterior" means "to the front," and can be used to describe any part of the body. So, "anterior pituitary" means the front part of the pituitary gland (and the gland is in the brain).

anterior = to the front
posterior = to the back
dorsal = upwards
ventral = downwards

There are a bunch of other terms but I can't remember them.

You are all absolutely correct. I forgot there are two pituitary glands in the body. Further down the Wikipedia article -

"The posterior pituitary as a down growth of the brain, is a neurosecretory organ (Wheater, Burkitt & Daniels, 1987). The secretion of hormones from the posterior pituitary is controlled directly by neurons in the hypothalamus (Marieb, 2004). The connecting stalk between the hypothalamus and the lobes of the pituitary gland, the infundibulum, carries the hormones of the posterior pituitary from nuclei in the hypothalamus. The hypothalmic supraoptic nuclei manufacture anti-diuretic hormone and the hypothalmic paraventricular nuclei manufacture oxytocin. These hormones are then stored in pituitary axons until their release is triggered (Marieb, 2004)."

Well I'll be! I just looked up it's location and it is in the brain, contrary to what I have read eariler.

Physiology aside. (I really should not have tried to dabble in that stuff). Thanks for pulling me up on it. Feel a bit foolish now.

I don't know how much actual data can support your theory, I'm certain I wouldn't be one of those aspies that fit your low oxytocin model. I actually suffered quite a bit from too much oxytocin. It gave me shakes and diarrhea. I suppose it might be that I'm a woman and our hormones are different. I strongly suspect it's more genetic rather than related to autism. My mother also has high oxytocin, high estrogen levels and she's NT. So far my body seems to behave exactly like hers. I'm sure my dad has low oxytocin, but then my hormones aren't like his.

Resource Reading:

Wikipedia Article on Oxytocin

Drug Information Online Article on Oxytocin

New York Times Article on Oxytocin

Please READ these articles before posting any more false information about this drug. Thank you.

Thanks for replying Y-pod. Yes from what I have read, there is certainly a chasm of difference in production of this fascinating hormone in males and females. I have been researching this for a year on various computers, so have not had the benefit of being able to keep the websites I got my info from in a Favourites list. But from what I recall from one particular study, it was found that women have numerous ways and opportunities for production compared to males. Two obvious examples are childbirth and breastfeeding.

When you say you "suffered" from too much Oxytocin, how do you know it was Oxytocin? Were you tested for your natural levels or were you taking a synthetic hormone? From what I have read (and this is among the most commonly known use for synthetic Oxytocin) it relaxes a womans nether regions (apologies for not knowing the specific part of the anatomy) to aid in child birth. An excess in Oxytocin could therefore explain your issues with diarrhea. Makes sense to me. What alerted me to Oxytocin in the first place was my issues with constipation. I have determined that I am deficient in Oxytocin. I have increased Magnesium and Calcium and cholesterol in my diet and am experiencing increasing success. But from what I have read, it takes time to replace ones stores completely.

I would not suggest that Oxytocin is a panacea by any means. The body is far more complex than that. I believe an wholistic approach to lifestyle and diet is much wiser. But I am certain that Oxytocin is a major contributor to many aspects of my own issues on the spectrum, including: generalised fear and anxiety, trust, desire for company and intimacy, sensory issues, digestive issues, elimination issues. I kid you not. All these things and more are improving. Interestingly, it just turned Spring here and everything is much less an issue also.

If I can share one thing with people: try coconut oil on an empty stomach and let me know what you experience. I feel more relaxed, at ease, warmer, digestion works far better, I feel more motivated and happier and creative. All the symptoms listed above are eased with this one simple teaspoon of coconut oil taken a few times per day. (I don't have so much success with it in cooking but more oil generally makes life easier).

I thought high levels of oxytocin were correlated with ASDs. This was from reading Temple Grandin's book Animals in Translation- she talks about a study done with piglets where they are injected with Naltrexone (a oxytocin blocker) and it makes them more social (they cuddle with each other more) because doing so will raise their oxytocin levels. Grandin said Naltrexone had been shown to be successful in getting autistic children to interact more.

I don't know much on the subject so I'm off to read those articles on oxytocin, thanks Fnord.

Yes. I forgot there is some difference but an inherent connection between the hormone Oxytocin and the plasma Oxytocin.

Thanking Fnord for reminding me of that fact.

From http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/64/1/27.short -

"The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma oxytocin (OT) levels change during human sexual responses and, if so, to demonstrate the temporal pattern of change.
Plasma OT levels were measured by RIA before, during, and after private self-stimulation to orgasm in normal men (n = 9) and women (n = 13). Blood samples were collected continuously through indwelling venous catheters.

"The subjects pressed a signal to indicate the start and finish of orgasm/ejaculation. Objective assessment of sexual arousal and orgasm was obtained by measuring blood-pulse amplitude and electro-myographic activity, recorded continuously throughout testing from an anal device containing a photoplethysmograph and electromyograph electrodes connected to a polygraph located in an adjacent room. These measures allowed collection of data from men and women of changes in blood flow and muscle activity in the lower pelvic/pubic area.

"Plasma OT levels increased during sexual arousal in both women and men and were significantly higher during orgasm/ejaculation than during prior baseline testing. We suggest that the temporal pattern of secretion could be related to smooth muscle contractions of the reproductive system during orgasm. "

It is Oxytocin Plasma which is ejaculated by the man. There are many studies on the above website showing the connection between sexuality, Oxytocin, bonding and one or two showing the potential benefits for people on the spectrum. My conputer won't let me access any more right now. There seems to be a problem with the site.

In reference to Fnords link to the NY Times article on Oxytocin -

"Yes, you knew there had to be a catch. As oxytocin comes into sharper focus, its social radius of action turns out to have definite limits. The love and trust it promotes are not toward the world in general, just toward a person’s in-group. Oxytocin turns out to be the hormone of the clan, not of universal brotherhood. Psychologists trying to specify its role have now concluded it is the agent of ethnocentrism. "

Fascinating. Yes relationships can be nice but they certainly are exclusive aren't they. Most people really do like to feel like they are special to you. I like volunteering and activism and random acts of kindness in preference to an arbitrary concept of automatic commitment to family or friends. I love them of course but I see so many opportunities to help others also.

"“Oxytocin creates intergroup bias primarily because it motivates in-group favoritism and because it motivates out-group derogation,”

This supports the idea that Oxytocin production promotes a desire for further connection and feelings of love. Most people are attracted to what they are familiar with and have experience of feel good feelings. This is why we are so protective of our primary relationships, to the exclusion of others (monogamy for example). It works on the macro and micro.

“When people get together with others who share their values, that drives up the level of oxytocin,”

“In the ancestral environment it was very important for people to detect in others whether they had a long-term commitment to the group,”

This is so true. I have removed myself from all relationships this year, family and friends and there was such a huge response to my isolation. So many people took it personally and a few made thinly veiled attacks with reference to the group and collective idea. By isolating myself, it was automatically assumed that I had issues with the cultures and values associated with the groups and relationships.

Fascinating article. People on the spectrum may be "deficient" in this hormone Oxytocin but do we really want it when we collectively seem to have a greater capacity for altruism? Is this not what the world needs right now?

I guess that is a choice each person must make. Personally I've had it up to here with AS. I've done 40 years and want something different. I've perfected aloneness without resentment. I'm a Goddamned expert. I want to experience intimacy and connection. I have 40 years of ideas to bring to the collective. I don't feel I can continue as an effective member of the community, the way I envision myself being for the next 40 years. I want to be able to help others on the spectrum by communicating with people who are not on the spectrum. I won't do this while I'm isolated.

This is why I'm changing my diet and lifestyle. I like to believe I can bring that altruism and self sufficiency to my relationships also.

You might be onto something. My dad seems to have constipation a lot. I have never been constipated my entire life, even though we're both aspies.

Yes I knew it was oxytocin. I'm familiar with the feelings. Having been pregnant and nursing. Women can feel the oxytocin rush in their uterus and breasts. We tried all sorts of tests to see what's bothering my stomach, suspecting food intolerance or even IBS. Didn't find anything. It's all back to normal once my babe was weaned. I'm glad I'm done having kids. Though it probably did work on bonding with my babies. For the first few years we had almost psychic connections.

*So, how do guys feel if they have lots of oxytocins? Does any body part feel any different?

Thank you for the dialogue Ypod.

I am so glad to hear from a woman who has had children, is familiar with Oxytocin and it's affect on her own body. I am so keen to learn from you if you are interested.

lol what happens in a guys body? Well this is my first public line of questioning regarding Oxytocin so I can only speak for myself with any authority.

I am using a number of what might generally be considered "complementary" or "alternative" philosophies and therapies and am wary of using all the associated terminology as there does not seem to be many people here who are interested in such things. So I am restricted to the terminology of reductionist science and medicine. I will do my best.

I believe that when I allow my sexual energy to build up (by not ejaculating) and assuming, for the sake of this discussion, that that is associated with an increase in Oxytocin plasma...I get excited and get an erection. That is the obvious physiological response to health, a good diet, happiness with my "lot" in life and an interest (passion) in the things which occupy me. In traditional chinese medicine they call this experience of wellness Chi. The Indians call it Prana.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi

"The ancient Chinese described it as "life-force". They believed qi permeated everything and linked their surroundings together. They likened it to the flow of energy around and through the body, forming a cohesive and functioning unit.

"The [morally] noble man guards himself against three things. When he is young, his xue-qi has not yet stabilized, so he guards himself against sexual passion. When he reaches his prime, his xue-qi is not easily subdued, so he guards himself against combativeness. When he reaches old age, his xue-qi is already depleted, so he guards himself against acquisitiveness.

"There have been a number of studies of qi, especially in the sense used by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. These studies have often been problematic, and are hard to compare to each other, as they lack a common nomenclature.[27] Some studies claim to have been able to measure qi, or the effects of manipulating qi, such as through acupuncture[citation needed], but the proposed existence of qi has been rejected by the scientific community."

This discussion is very important to me so I feel I must be 100% candid. I have traced the start of my problems with elimination to three years ago. These were what was happening at that time: I was homeless, was given one corner of a room in a friends chaotic art gallery, was drowning my sorrows with junk food and had no access to good water and most importantly had access to the internet day and night so was indulging myself way too often, if you know what I mean. That was the start of my troubles. Once I had lost so much of my Oxytocin Plasma and not being aware of the inner workings of my body I was operating from a depleted state, not knowing how to build up my reserves again.

So this is how I felt: I was chronically constipated (have been for three years now), generally dry in body (no amount of water would suffice (I know now that the body also needs fatty acids to feel moist and hydrated) and all the usual AS issues were magnified. I was inconsolable. I cannot now even cope with the company of closest friends without jamming up in every way. I am house bound. This is a first for me. Have had almost no erections in that time either. Now I am getting healthier and the erections are coming back the the AS symptoms are reducing.

The trick is to allow the feelings of libido (life force) to rise and fall without needing to rush off and masturbate. When I do I feel cold and withered throughout my whole body and I return to feeling like a person with Aspergers.

I hope this goes some way to describing my experiences. I'm thinking th shakiness you describe sound like what I experience when my libido, Oxytocin, is high.

"love hormone", huh?

They keep forgetting that oxytocin is not just associated with bonding; it's also associated with rejection of "out-group" members. In a very real sense, it's the cause of prejudice, bullying, bigotry, homophobia, racism, etc.

Not that we are helpless to resist the urge to reject those we don't consider part of "our group". When people feel like they want to reject those who are "not like us", they still have to decide whether to actually do so. But the feeling of "That guy isn't like me; I don't like him"? Yeah, that's the oxytocin talking.