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A few years ago, I heard about a researcher talking about his research with oxytocin. It did cross my mind at the time, that oxytocin could be helpful for people diagnosed with ASD. At the same time, it also crossed my mind, that it could be downright dangerous to give or supply oxytocin to individuals who have been diagnosed with ASD, because this drug could possibly make them more vulnerable to abuse by others. Why give a substance to people, who have a difficult enough time figuring out social intricacies (i.e., friends and those who are not) that may make them more susceptible to others taking unfair advantage of them? I believe that there are substantial risks in supplying oxytocin to people diagnosed with ASD, and I do not believe that those risks have been seriously considered by the peole who are promoting this. Aasahttp://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/02/08/love_hormone_may_help_mental_disorders/6141/----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------'Love hormone' may help mental disordersPublished: Feb. 8, 2008 at 12:56 AMSAN DIEGO, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say the "love hormone" or oxytocin, which releases during hugs or when a mother bonds with a newborn, may help mental disorders. Dr. Kai Mac of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine says oxytocin is a brain chemical associated with pair bonding, including mother-infant and male-female bonds and increased paternal involvement with children. "That's why oxytocin is sometimes called 'the love hormone,'" Mac in a statement. "It's said that the eyes are the window to the soul ... they certainly are the window to the emotional brain. We know that the eye-to-eye communication -- which is affected by oxytocin -- is critical to intimate emotional communication for all kind of emotions -- love, fear, trust, anxiety."People with schizophrenia or autism often avoid eye-to-eye gaze, focus on less relevant areas of the face, and avoid meaningful social contact. The researchers theorize that oxytocin might act on the brains of patients with schizophrenia and anxiety and may ultimately increase the level of trust or emotional contact between patient and physician, or with patients and significant others.© 2008 United Press International. .This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.Please click on the link below to view the entire article.http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/02/08/love_hormone_may_help_mental_disorders/6141/