Do We Lack the "Love Hormone"????

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To be honest, whoever said that "sex equals love" doesn't really know what real love is about.

I don’t believe injection of oxytocin will induce “love feelings” should it be injected into an adolescent with autism.

I’m a person who had classic autism symptoms as a young child. I had, and still have, an Aspergian presentation as I got older.

It was evident that my oxytocin levels were optimal. I had a crush on my babysitter when I was five. The body was reacting even then.

This was right after I started speaking.

We should investigate the individual, not the collective.

Saying this, there’s, obviously, nothing wrong with scientific inquiry—as long as “major discoveries” aren’t claimed at every turn.

Last edited by kraftiekortie on 25 Feb 2019, 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

It's certainly possible. Even the responses on this thread seem like they're lacking in coherence and are just a lot of blah blah blah.

People are hung up on the word "love" and not looking at the broader implications. Yes, our body chemistry may be off and lacking compared to the average person.

I just don’t believe there’s one, or even a few, “cure-all’s” for autism.

What works for one might not work for another.

This is not a cure-all. Because we are Aspies, we are subjected to a great deal of stress, much more than the average NT. This stress can cause our bodies to deplete our supplies of oxytocin and produce anti-social traits and in extreme meltdowns release rage and anger. Almost taking control of our bodies. So the concept here is like a rescue inhaler. When our oxytocin supplies are depleted, in order to avoid extreme distress, supplementing our diminished supplies with a nasal spray or stimulating the body to release oxytocin naturally may be a useful tool.

Kraftiekortie I think you are getting hung up on the term "Love Hormone". You might substitute term "Anti-Meltdown Hormone" or maybe "Anti-Rage Hormone" or maybe even "Anti-Despair Hormone".

Last edited by jimmy m on 25 Feb 2019, 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

It would be great if that turns out to be an answer.

Oxytocin supplementation is used in animals. Therefore it might be of interest to see the effects on animals. Exploring the internet, I came across the following article:

The tendency of dogs to seek contact with their owners is associated with genetic variations in sensitivity for the hormone oxytocin, according to a new study from Linköping University, Sweden. The results have been published in the scientific journal Hormones and Behavior and contribute to our knowledge of how dogs have changed during their development from wolf to household pet.

During their domestication from their wild ancestor the wolf to the pets we have today, dogs have developed a unique ability to work together with humans. One aspect of this is their willingness to "ask for help" when faced with a problem that seems to be too difficult. There are, however, large differences between breeds, and between dogs of the same breed. A research group in Linköping, led by Professor Per Jensen, has discovered a possible explanation of why dogs differ in their willingness to collaborate with humans.

The researchers suspected that the hormone oxytocin was involved. It is well-known that oxytocin plays a role in social relationships between individuals, in both humans and animals. The effect of oxytocin depends on the function of the structure that it binds to, the receptor, in the cell. Previous studies have suggested, among other things, that differences in dogs' ability to communicate are associated with variations in the genetic material located close to the gene that codes for the oxytocin receptor. The researchers in the present study examined 60 golden retrievers as they attempted to solve an insoluble problem.

"The first step was to teach the dogs to open a lid, and in this way get hold of a treat. After this, they were given the same task with the lid firmly fixed in place, and thus impossible to open. We timed the dogs to see how long they attempted on their own, before turning to their owner and asking for help," says Mia Persson, PhD student at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and principal author of the article.

Before the behavioural test, the researchers increased the levels of oxytocin in the dogs' blood by spraying the hormone into their nose. As a control, the dogs carried out the same test after having received a spray of neutral salt water in the same way. The researchers also collected DNA using a cotton swab inside the dogs' cheek, and determined which variant of the gene for the oxytocin receptor that each dog had.

The results showed that dogs with a particular genetic variant of the receptor reacted more strongly to the oxytocin spray than other dogs. The tendency to approach their owner for help increased when they received oxytocin in their nose, compared with when they received the neutral salt water solution. The researchers suggest that these results help us understand how dogs have changed during the process of domestication. They analysed DNA also from 21 wolves, and found the same genetic variation among them. This suggests that the genetic variation was already present when domestication of the dogs started, 15,000 years ago.

"Oxytocin is extremely important in the social interactions between people. And we also have similar variations in genes in this hormone system. This is why studying dog behaviour can help us understand ourselves, and may in the long term contribute to knowledge about various disturbances in social functioning," he says.

Source: Dogs' social skills linked to oxytocin sensitivity

Here is another article about oxytocin being supplemented on animals:

Injections of the love hormone oxytocin have made wild seals friendlier toward one another, making them want to spend more time together and display far less aggressive behavior, which would normally surface among strangers.

The discovery shows oxytocin, which is involved in social bonding and sexual reproduction, encourages members of the same species to seek out one another and remain close—a finding that could have implications for human behavior and what happens when these social bonds break down.

Researchers at the University of St. Andrews gave wild gray seals intravenous injections of either oxytocin or saline. The dose of oxytocin was designed to mimic natural concentrations of the hormone, making it one of the lowest doses ever used to manipulate behavior.

The researchers used newly weaned seal pups that had never met before—adults could not be used, the authors note, because they could not be certain the seals were complete strangers. After the injections, seals were observed for behavioral changes.

Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, showed the oxytocin group were significantly friendlier for up to two days after the initial dose—long after the effect of the hormone would have worn off.

Pups spent “significantly more time in close proximity” after oxytocin treatment. They also performed fewer checks on one another, indicating a level of comfort or familiarity, and had fewer aggressive interactions.

Researchers say this is the first time it has been possible to show the effect of oxytocin on the relationships of wild animals, and that this pro-social behavior emerges naturally after the initial trigger.

“Despite using a minimal oxytocin dose, pro-social behavioral changes unexpectedly persisted for two days, despite rapid dose clearance from circulation post-injection,” they wrote. “This study verifies that oxytocin promotes individuals staying together, demonstrating how the hormone can form positive feedback loops of oxytocin release following conspecific stimuli [stimuli from the same species], increased motivation to remain in close proximity and additional oxytocin release from stimuli received while in close proximity.”

The scientists say their findings could have benefits for humans, potentially providing a way to prevent anti-social behavior. Study author Kelly Robinson said in a statement: “This study proves that oxytocin promotes individuals staying together, highlighting its fundamental role in forming and maintaining parental and social bonds.

“By studying the underlying physiology motivating bonding, social and parental behaviour, we can better understand what factors influence their existence in a variety of animals including humans. It also allows us to perceive what is happening when such bonds break down, why the frequently negative consequences associated with such losses happen, and how hormone treatments could be used to influence or avoid such events.”

Source: OXYTOCIN: LOVE HORMONE INJECTIONS TURN GRAY SEAL STRANGERS INTO BEST FRIENDS

Hey now, some of us sourced scientific studies in our comments to support what we're saying.

Here is another article on the subject. The term "Autistic mice models" relate to mice strains that mimic the traits of autism in humans).

Autistic mice models were established by valproate. Animal behaviors were assessed by open field test, tail suspension test, marble burying test and three-chamber social interaction test. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the levels or activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase, reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species. Inflammation was assessed by the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6. The number of activated microglia was detected by immunofluorescence with an Iba-1 antibody.

Our results showed that oxytocin improved the behaviors of autistic mice, with less anxiety, depression and repetitive behavior, and ameliorated social interaction. Further study showed that the elevated oxidative stress and inflammation in autistic mice were alleviated after treatment of oxytocin.

Source: Oxytocin improves animal behaviors and ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation in autistic mice

Here is a link to an article that describes in detail some of the complex effects of oxytocin in rats.
Antistress Pattern Induced by Oxytocin
Some of the key points in the article are:

* It describes normal levels of oxytocin in the blood (in rats).

* It describes all the different systems that oxytocin touches in the body. These are: cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, locomotor behavior, pain threshold, kidney function and fluid balance, thermoregulation, anti-stress effects.

* It discusses the duration of effects. "These effects cannot be attributed to the direct effects of oxytocin, due to the short half-life of this substance (minutes), but to activation of secondary mechanisms." So in rats that were subjected to daily oxytocin supplementation/stimulation for 5 days, it cause their systolic and diastolic blood pressures to lower by ~15 mmHg without affecting pulse rate. And their blood pressure did not return to normal levels until 10 days after the treatment ended. This causes me to believe that supplementing oxytocin for a few days and allowing the oxytocin levels to be restored to nominal range, that the effects can last for a week or more.

So to put this in more technical terms:


In other words, when an individual faces a threat, they activate a fight/flight response which releases a cascade of hormones. Stress is a part of life and is not inherently bad. For most stressors the biological cost is negligible because the stressors are short-lived. During prolonged stress or when stress is severe, the biological cost is significant and the work of stress becomes a significant burden to the body. It can throw an individual into a distressed or trauma state. For most NTs they have found ways of returning their bodies back to homeostasis. But Aspies are a little different. They hold onto this stress much longer, and lack the ability to quickly shed this stress. Their bodies remain in a hyperaroused state, always looking out for and sensing danger. So essentially oxytocin can trigger an Aspie (or normal human for that matter) into shutting off their hyperaroused state and return their bodies back to homeostasis.

The article concludes:

This is an interesting concept. "For many women, nipples are erogenous zones. A new study may explain why: The sensation from the nipples travels to the same part of the brain as sensations from the vagina, clitoris and cervix." So I guess the question might be "Does nipple stimulation release oxytocin and how is it stimulated"? In other words, is it oxytocin release stimulated by touch or stimulated by suction or both?

Here is a link to an article on the subject: Oxytocin and Breastfeeding

When your baby latches on to breastfeed, and her mouth touches your breasts, especially your nipples, the nerve cells in your breasts send a signal to your brain to release oxytocin. The oxytocin causes the muscles around the milk-making glands in your breast to contract. When the glands contract, they squeeze the breast milk into the milk ducts. The milk ducts also contract to push the breast milk through your breast, and out of the nipple to your baby. This release of breast milk from your breasts is called the let-down reflex. As your baby continues to breastfeed, more oxytocin is released, and your breast milk continues to flow out of your breasts and to your baby.

Oxytocin can also cause your milk to let-down when you're not breastfeeding. You may find that your breasts leak breast milk when you just think about breastfeeding or hear your baby cry.

While oxytocin is responsible for the let-down reflex and the release of breast milk from your body, it has nothing to do with the amount of breast milk that you will make. The hormone related to the production of breast milk is called prolactin.

That would be an interesting experiment to test. When you are in a overwhelming stress state which produces feelings like rage, anger, despair, or fear can you stimulate your breast nipples (either by touch or suction using a breast pump) to produce oxytocin? Which method works most effectively or not at all?

The article points to metrics on assessing oxytocin production:
How can you tell if the oxytocin in your body is doing what's its suppose to do? Here are some of the signs you can look for:
* A tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in your breasts.
* Cramping in your uterus when you breastfeed.
* Hearing your baby swallow while you're breastfeeding.
* Breast milk is leaking from your breasts.
* Feeling happy and relaxed after you feed your baby.

Since this test does not involve a baby, it might be difficult to tell. But if you perform this test, I would focus on the remediation of severe stress traits such as exhibited by the following symptoms:

* Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
* Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
* Irritability
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
* Decreased energy or fatigue
* Moving or talking more slowly
* Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
* Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
* Appetite and/or weight changes
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
* Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

So if you conduct these experiments on yourself, report back to this thread and let us know your findings.

Nobody was actually saying that "sex equals love" in this thread, I don't believe; just that was a very common misconception. I've never picked up on that being a prevalent attitude.

I can't do any of these because I don't have kids and I never breastfed anything. This particular study only applies to breastfeeding women, so I have no personal frame of reference.

When we were infants, we developed a strong natural mother-child bond. Then as we grew, we transitioned this bond into intangible items such as stuffed animals, that became our nighttime companions, to watch over us while we slept. So the question is can one develop a model, a simulation of an actual process to stimulate the release of oxytocin naturally. A simulation of the breast feeding process without a child or the production of milk.

If you feel uncomfortable in conducting this experiment that is fine. There is nothing forcing you. It is just perfecting a potential tool to normalize extreme stress loads.