r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 08 '25

Neuroscience Specific neurons that secrete oxytocin in the brain are disrupted in a mouse model of autism, neuroscientists have found. Stimulating these neurons restored social behaviors in these mice. These findings could help to develop new ways to treat autism.

https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/20250207_1/index.html
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u/WickedClutz2 Feb 08 '25

This might explain why the most recent times I've felt emotionally "normal" were when I took psilocybin and the first couple of weeks after my daughter were born. Both times felt like something was chemically making me feel more and I started looking into it. Found out that psilo and hexadecanal (newborn baby pheromone) both induce oxytocin. Typically, I don't have strong emotional reactions even in intense situations. Those are literally the only two times I've ever happy cried in my entire life. I never understood that reaction before. My wedding day was great but I never felt the urge. I think for me, it's a chemical thing.

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u/3570526 Feb 08 '25

Do you have autism? Are you saying taking psilocybin helped with symptoms?

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u/jimbo224 Feb 09 '25

Not the person you responded to, but I have autism and can say psilocybin does help temporarily with the symptoms. It's much easier to process emotions and feel like I understand myself and those close to me much better. Unfortunately it does wear off, but the experiences do stick with you at least a bit.

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u/MileHiSalute Feb 09 '25

Have you done microdosing before? If so, how did it impact you?

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u/jimbo224 Feb 09 '25

Not yet. I'd like to, but I don't want to "waste" them, since they were pretty annoying to get.