Nicotine for autism - also this??

[Guest guest]

Nicotine helps the body (and the brain!) to produce release its own endorphins=opioids. These body’s own opioids, released by nicotine, bind to specific opioid receptors in the brain and elsewhere – the same types of receptors that are targeted by (low dose) naltrexone!!

“… Opioid receptors and their peptide ligands, the endorphins and enkephalins, form an extensive heterogeneous network throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. In addition to reward, opioid drugs regulate many functions such that opioid receptors are targets of choice in several physiological, neurological and psychiatric disorders..”

in addition to central and peripheral nervous systems, opioids play a huge role in the immune system (again mostly via their regulating effects on calcium homeostasis!)

I came across this one and was wondering if it may be good for some kids: this anti-smoking product DOES NOT release nicotine into the body, instead it directly stimulates the body to produce its own endorphins, which “stick” to the same receptors in the brain that attract nicotine itself. Since endorphin production is the driving force of many therapies that are useful in autism, like LDN, (scalp and ear) acupuncture or Low Level Laser Therapy (also increases endogenous secretion of endorphins, I posted on this recently)… maybe this type of “ear acupunture therapy” would be effective in autism???

http://www.quitsmoking.com/zerosmoke/index.htm