People who have bought into the ridiculous marketing claims surrounding the use of oxytocin as a pheromone may be interested in this article, especially if they want to attract a schizophrenic.

James V. Kohl
http://www.pheromones.com
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http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20...renia.html

'Cuddle chemical' eases symptoms of schizophrenia

by Andy Coghlan

NASAL sprays containing the hormone oxytocin, nicknamed the "cuddle chemical" because it helps mothers bond with their babies, have helped people with schizophrenia.

Although the 15 participants used the sprays for three weeks only, most reported measurable improvements in their symptoms in this the first
trial to test oxytocin in schizophrenia. "It's proof of concept that there's therapeutic potential here," says David Feifel at the University of California in San Diego, head of the team running the trial.

Each participant received oxytocin or a placebo for three weeks, then the opposite treatment for three weeks with a week break in between.

On the basis of two standard tests for schizophrenia, taken before and after each block of treatment, participants averaged improvements of around 8 per cent when taking the oxytocin compared with the placebo (Biological Psychiatry,DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych. 2010.04.039) .

The effects didn't kick in until the final week, suggesting that it takes a while for the hormone to begin acting. "Standard antipsychotic drugs
increase their efficacy several weeks later too, so oxytocin fits that profile," says Feifel.

Feifel thinks that oxytocin is dampening down the excessive production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can trigger schizophrenic symptoms such as hallucinations.

The deal breaker is shooting the oxytocin up the nose of your date. It would have to initiate bonding extremely quickly if you're gonna get lucky, not to mention avoiding a quick one to the jewels.