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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 18:49:08
when jealibeanz posted the anti-benzo post i looked around the website and found the following article.
http://psychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com/2007/05/reading-mind-with-oxytocin.html
this is a subject i am very interested about. id love to hear some of your responses.
i have no idea about oxycotin but want to know if there are any of your guys find any credibility with the idea.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 19:09:14
In reply to oxycotin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 18:49:08
Oh you meant oxytocin a hormone that I think has something to do with breast milk being secreated. But I should have googled it first sorry as at first I thought you meant oxycotin a pain med. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 19:17:35
In reply to Re: oxycotin and empathy? » devunea, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 19:09:14
Here's one. Love Phillipa
[edit] Peripheral (hormonal) actions
The peripheral actions of oxytocin mainly reflect secretion from the pituitary gland. (See oxytocin receptor for more detail on its action.)Letdown reflex – in lactating (breastfeeding) mothers, oxytocin acts at the mammary glands, causing milk to be 'let down' into a collecting chamber, from where it can be extracted by sucking at the nipple. Sucking by the infant at the nipple is relayed by spinal nerves to the hypothalamus. The stimulation causes neurons that make oxytocin to fire action potentials in intermittent bursts; these bursts result in the secretion of pulses of oxytocin from the neurosecretory nerve terminals of the pituitary gland.
Uterine contraction – important for cervical dilation before birth and causes contractions during the second and third stages of labor. Oxytocin release during breastfeeding causes mild but often painful uterine contractions during the first few weeks of lactation. This also serves to assist the uterus in clotting the placental attachment point postpartum. However, in knockout mice lacking the oxytocin receptor, reproductive behavior and parturition is normal.[1]
Oxytocin is secreted into the blood at orgasm – in both males and females.[2] In males, oxytocin may facilitate sperm transport in ejaculation.
Due to its similarity to vasopressin, it can reduce the excretion of urine slightly. More important, in several species, oxytocin can stimulate sodium excretion from the kidneys (natriuresis), and in humans, high doses of oxytocin can result in hyponatremia.
Oxytocin and oxytocin receptors are also found in the heart in some rodents, and the hormone may play a role in the embryonal development of the heart by promoting cardiomyocyte differentiation. [3][4] However, the absence of either oxytocin or its receptor in knockout mice has not been reported to produce cardiac insufficiencies.[1][edit] Actions of oxytocin within the brain
Oxytocin secreted from the pituitary gland cannot re-enter the brain because of the blood-brain barrier. Instead, the behavioral effects of oxytocin are thought to reflect release from centrally-projecting oxytocin neurons, different from those that project to the pituitary gland. Oxytocin receptors are expressed by neurons in many parts of the brain and spinal cord, including the amygdala, ventromedial hypothalamus, septum and brainstem.Sexual arousal. Oxytocin injected into the cerebrospinal fluid causes spontaneous erections in rats,[5] reflecting actions in the hypothalamus and spinal cord.
Bonding. In the Prairie Vole, oxytocin released into the brain of the female during sexual activity is important for forming a monogamous pair bond with her sexual partner. Vasopressin appears to have a similar effect in males [6]. In people, plasma concentrations of oxytocin have been reported to be higher amongst people who claim to be falling in love. Oxytocin has a role in social behaviors in many species, and so it seems likely that it has similar roles in humans. It has been suggested that deficiencies in oxytocin pathways in the brain might be a feature of autism.
Maternal behavior. Sheep and rat females given oxytocin antagonists after giving birth do not exhibit typical maternal behavior. By contrast, virgin sheep females show maternal behavior towards foreign lambs upon cerebrospinal fluid infusion of oxytocin, which they would not do otherwise. [7]
Various anti-stress functions. Oxytocin reduces blood pressure and cortisol levels, increasing tolerance to pain, and reducing anxiety. Oxytocin may play a role in encouraging "tend and befriend", as opposed to "fight or flight", behavior, in response to stress.
Increasing trust and reducing fear. In a risky investment game, experimental subjects given nasally administered oxytocin displayed "the highest level of trust" twice as often as the control group. Subjects who were told that they were interacting with a computer showed no such reaction, leading to the conclusion that oxytocin was not merely affecting risk-aversion.[8] Nasally-administered oxytocin has also been reported to reduce fear, possibly by inhibiting the amygdala (which is thought to be responsible for fear responses).[9] There is no conclusive evidence for access of oxytocin to the brain through intranasal administration, however.
According to some studies in animals, oxytocin inhibits the development of tolerance to various addictive drugs (opiates, cocaine, alcohol) and reduces withdrawal symptoms.[10]
Preparing fetal neurons for delivery. Crossing the placenta, maternal oxytocin reaches the fetal brain and induces a switch in the action of neurotransmitter GABA from excitatory to inhibitory on fetal cortical neurons. This silences the fetal brain for the period of delivery and reduces its vulnerability to hypoxic damage.[11]
Certain learning and memory functions are impaired by centrally-administered oxytocin.[5][edit] Uses
Synthetic oxytocin is sold as medication under the trade names Pitocin and Syntocinon and also as generic Oxytocin. Oxytocin is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore must be administered by injection or as nasal spray. Oxytocin has a half-life of typically about three minutes in the blood. Oxytocin given intravenously does not enter the brain in significant quantities - it is excluded from the brain by the blood-brain barrier. Drugs administered by nasal spray are thought to have better access to the CNS. An oxytocin nasal spray has been used to stimulate breastfeeding.Injected oxytocin analogues are used to induce labour and support labour in case of non-progression of parturition. It has largely replaced ergotamine as the principal agent to increase uterine tone in acute postpartum haemorrhage. Oxytocin is also used in veterinary medicine to facilitate birth and to increase milk production. The tocolytic agent atosiban (Tractocile®) acts as an antagonist of oxytocin receptors; this drug is registered in many countries to suppress premature labour between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation. It has fewer side-effects than drugs previously used for this purpose (ritodrine, salbutamol and terbutaline).
Some have suggested that the trust-inducing property of oxytocin might help those who suffer from social anxieties, while others have noted the potential for abuse with confidence tricks.
[edit] Potential adverse reactions
Oxytocin is relatively safe when used at recommended doses. Potential side effects include:[citation needed]Central nervous system: Subarachnoid hemorrhage, seizures.
Cardiovascular: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, systemic venous return, cardiac output, and arrhythmias.
Genitourinary: Impaired uterine blood flow, pelvic hematoma, tetanic uterine contractions, uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage.[edit] Evolution
Virtually all vertebrates have an oxytocin-like nonapeptide hormone that supports reproductive functions and a vasopressin-like nonapeptide hormone involved in water regulation. The two genes are always located close to each other (less than 15,000 bases apart) on the same chromosome and are transcribed in opposite directions. It is thought that the two genes resulted from a gene duplication event; the ancestral gene is estimated to be about 500 million years old and is found in cyclostomes (modern members of the Agnatha).[5]
[edit] See also
Ergometrine Maleate
[edit] References
^ a b Takayanagi Y et al. (2005) Pervasive
Posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 19:34:36
In reply to Re: oxycotin and empathy? » devunea, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 19:09:14
sorry, i realized i didnt write the drug name in correctly.
this is the correct drug name.
oxycontin
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:22:29
In reply to Re: oxycontin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 19:34:36
No problem Love Phillipa
Questions and Answers about OxyContinWhat kind of medicine is OxyContin?
What kind of pain is appropriate to treat with OxyContin?
How do I know if I have the right kind of pain to use OxyContin?
Are there any activities that I should not perform while using OxyContin for pain relief?
What should I do if I still have pain after I take the OxyContin?
Can I take other medicines while I am using OxyContin for pain relief?
Can I drink an alcoholic beverage while I am using OxyContin for pain relief?
Will I become addicted to OxyContin if I take it every day?
What should I do when I no longer need the OxyContin for pain relief?
Haven't there been press reports about the misuse of OxyContin?
Can I take OxyContin if I am pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or planning to nurse my baby?
Are there any other special precautions I should take with my OxyContin?
1. What kind of medicine is OxyContin?OxyContin contains oxycodone, a very strong narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. OxyContin is designed so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time, allowing it to be used twice daily. You should never break, chew, or crush the OxyContin tablet since this causes a large amount of oxycodone to be released from the tablet all at once, potentially resulting in a dangerous or fatal drug overdose.
2. What kind of pain is appropriate to treat with OxyContin?
OxyContin is intended to help relieve pain that is moderate to severe in intensity, when that pain is present all the time, and expected to continue for a long time. This level of pain severity may be caused by a variety of different medical conditions.
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3. How do I know if I have the right kind of pain to use OxyContin?
Only a physician can determine if OxyContin is a good choice to manage a your pain. If you have pain every day that lasts for a large part of the day, and the pain is moderate or severe in intensity, depending upon other factors in your medical history, OxyContin may be a good choice for you. Speak with your physician.
If you feel you only need to take a pain reliever occasionally and this adequately treats your pain, OxyContin is NOT the right drug for you. If you only need a pain reliever for a few days, for example following a dental or surgical procedure, OxyContin is not the right drug for you.
4. Are there any activities that I should not perform while using OxyContin for pain relief?
OxyContin may interfere with your ability to do certain things that require your full attention. You should not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do other possibly dangerous activities while taking OxyContin.
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5. What should I do if I still have pain after I take the OxyContin?
Because OxyContin is a very strong medication, you should not adjust the dose without first speaking with your physician.
6. Can I take other medicines while I am using OxyContin for pain relief?
Combining OxyContin with some other types of medication such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and other pain medications may be dangerous due to the risk of interactions of these medications that can result in injury or death. You should speak with your physician before taking any other medicines with OxyContin. You should also tell your physician about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements/herbal remedies that you are taking before starting OxyContin.
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7. Can I drink an alcoholic beverage while I am using OxyContin for pain relief?
You should not drink any beverage that contains alcohol while you are taking OxyContin. This includes beer, wine, and all distilled liquors. OxyContin and alcoholic beverages may have dangerous interactions that can result in serious injury or death.
8. Will I become addicted to OxyContin if I take it every day?
OxyContin is only intended for moderate to severe pain that is present on a daily basis and that requires a very strong pain reliever. Patients with this type of severe pain condition require daily pain treatment. Taking OxyContin daily can result in physical dependence, a condition in which the body shows signs of narcotic withdrawal if the OxyContin is stopped suddenly. This is not the same thing as addiction, which represents a situation in which people obtain and take narcotics because of a psychological need, and not just to treat a legitimate painful condition. Physical dependence can be treated by slowly under the advice of a physician by slowing decreasing the OxyContin dose when it is no longer needed for the treatment of pain. Concerns of addiction should not prevent patients with appropriate pain conditions from using OxyContin or other narcotics for pain relief.
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9. What should I do when I no longer need the OxyContin for pain relief?
When you no longer need OxyContin, the dose should be gradually reduced so that you do not feel sick with withdrawal symptoms. You should ask your physician for a plan on how to gradually decrease the dose and when to stop the OxyContin.
10. Haven't there been press reports about the misuse of OxyContin?
OxyContin is a safe and effective pain medication when properly prescribed and used as directed. OxyContin has also been used as a drug of abuse. You should protect your prescription and your medication from theft and never give OxyContin to anyone else. You should destroy any left over OxyContin tablets that you may have once your physician instructs you to stop taking the medication.
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11. Can I take OxyContin if I am pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or planning to nurse my baby?
Your should speak to your physician about the effects of drugs like OxyContin on an unborn or newborn child.
12. Are there any other special precautions I should take with my OxyContin?
Because there is a large dose of medication in each OxyContin tablet, you must be very careful to keep OxyContin stored in a secure location, out of the reach of children. When you no longer need OxyContin for pain relief, you should flush the unused tablets down the toilet.
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Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:28:01
In reply to Re: oxycontin and empathy? » devunea, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:22:29
Can I ask why you would want a doc who's using pain meds? What will this do for you? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:31:05
In reply to Re: oxycontin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 19:34:36
According to the article you spelled it right the first time if I'm not mistaken. Love Phillipa
Posted by Quintal on May 6, 2007, at 20:33:47
In reply to Re: oxycontin and empathy? » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:28:01
It's the hormone oxytocin he's referring to Phillipa, but I'd prefer oxycontin myself. Do you remember when Liliths tried the oxytocin spray I recommended? Here's one of the other recent threads on oxytocin spray: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061110/msgs/704017.html
Q
Posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 20:37:35
In reply to oxycotin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 18:49:08
i found this article doing research about aspergers syndrome. i thought it must be the pain med. shows how much i know, compared to yourself.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:38:06
In reply to *Oxytocin* and empathy? » Phillipa, posted by Quintal on May 6, 2007, at 20:33:47
Q what do you make of it? Love Phillipa
Posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 20:39:57
In reply to Re: oxycotin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 20:37:35
i meant that most kindly, regardless I am interested in what you guys know about this.
thank you!
Posted by Quintal on May 6, 2007, at 21:11:08
In reply to Re: oxycotin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 20:39:57
I know two people outside babble who've used the spray and neither of them found any effect from it. The person on the thread I posted felt it made him naive and trusting around people - he was using it to help with opiate withdrawal. I'd try opiates if you want to feel more emotional warmth and empathy.
Q
Posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 21:38:28
In reply to Oxytocin, oxycotin and empathy? » devunea, posted by Quintal on May 6, 2007, at 21:11:08
so would that not make sense for Asperger Syndrome or ppl on the autistic spectrum to have positive affects from using this? since empathy is such a large part of the disorder?
usually no meds are recommended for AS usually drugs to help with side effects that are commonly associated with anxiety, add, bipolar, etc.
Posted by Quintal on May 6, 2007, at 21:51:16
In reply to Re: Oxytocin, oxycotin and empathy?, posted by devunea on May 6, 2007, at 21:38:28
I don't know, the only way to see if it works for you is to try it. There is some sense in the theory yes, so it could be worth a go.
Q
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