For children with autism, a disorder that makes it hard to form connections with other people, you'd think treatment with the "cuddle hormone" would be just what the doctor ordered. Well, for some doctors it is. According to a story by NPR, doctors have begun prescribing doses of the hormone oxytocin to autistic children in light of studies that suggest it may promote bonding and empathy. 

Despite the similar name, oxytocin has little to do with the prescription narcotic Oxycontin. According to The Medical News, the hormone is "best known for its role in facilitating labor, delivery, and breast-feeding, [it is also important in promoting trust, love, and social recognition.”  Some studies have shown that it is also naturally released during an orgasm -- findings that scientists hypothesize may be an evolutionary attempt to form emotional bonds between mates. People with autism, meanwhile, have oxytocin deficiencies, which may contribute to the impaired social interaction and communication abilities that are common symptoms of autism.  

Preliminary studies have shown that when inhaled, Oxytocin can increase one’s ability to respond to visual cues in pictures of human faces, according to MentalHelp.net.  This implies a better sense of empathy for other people. Science Daily also reports that Oxytocin can improve a person with autism’s ability to interact with others.

But some scientists fear that in the absence of more reliable studies about the hormone's long-term safety, oxytocin is being used prematurely as a treatment for autistic children. Sue Carter of the Brain Body Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago told NPR that the treatment could cause the body to produce less oxytocin on its own and eventually become unresponsive to it.

Even though California voters voted not to legalize marijuana, young people in America are less worried about its effects and continue to smoke it at an increasing rate, reports a recent study from the University of Michigan called, “Monitoring the Future.”

The study sampled over 46,000 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, and found an increase in marijuana and ecstasy usage, but a decline in alcohol usage.

Alcohol usage amongst 12th graders is the lowest it has been since the study began in 1975, and 8th and 10th graders show the lowest usage rates since they were included in the study in 1991, despite reporting that alcohol is “very easy” or “easy” to acquire.

These declining numbers comes as a shock in relation to a recent advertising study released by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY), which shows that youth exposure to alcohol advertising on television increased by 71 percent between 2001 and 2009. Apparently, ads for distilled spirits on cable television make up for a large percentage of the increase in youth exposure. The study says, “The average annual number of alcohol ads seen by youth watching television increased from 217 in 2001 to 366 in 2009, approximately one alcohol ad per day.”

Marijuana usage, on the other hand, is now on the rise. The usage rates for all three grade levels increased significantly. “Daily or near-daily use is defined as use on 20 or more occasions in the prior 30 days; the rates for grades 8, 10, and 12 were 1%, 3%, and 6% in 2010. In other words, about one in sixteen 12th graders today uses marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis,” reports the study.

Ecstasy usage increased in all three grades as well, and youth responded that they perceived fewer health risks associated with ecstasy than in the previous five years.

Vicodin and OxyContin usage among youth is higher than in 2002, and concerns researchers because of the addictive nature of the drug. Most teenagers reported coming into possession of these prescription drugs through a friend. Typically, someone finds leftover pills from a prescription and then gives or sells them to a friend.

This past summer I was diagnosed with seizures. Before being diagnosed, I was a very active kid. In August I went to sleep and woke up on the floor of my room with my mom saying my name. I couldn’t respond and the whole left side of my body was numb for almost four hours. I was instantly rushed to the hospital where I spent a week having tests run on me. They couldn’t tell me if my seizures were coming from the front or the back of my brain. When I was able to go home I was told that I would be unable to play sports or fight if I wanted to have a normal life.

By Molly Adams

Molly Adams is an uninsured recent college graduate who sent us these thoughts on the health care debate. Originally broadcast on NPR's Morning Edition. For a related lesson plan, check out PBS Teachers.

 "So what do you do?” is a question people ask a lot when you're
  fresh out of college. I’m a freelancer, doing all kinds of broadcast
  production jobs. But that doesn’t cover my rent.

  So I’m also a bartender.

None of these jobs come with health insurance.

I was lucky growing up. My parents were always steadily employed, sometimes by the government, so I always had health care. I remember trying to argue my mom out of a wisdom tooth extraction in high school. I said, "I bet it's really expensive! It can’t be worth it."

"Honey. It's $70," she said back. "We have insurance."

Photo by teresia.

In 2007, the US Census Bureau released a study reporting that 45.7 million Americans were without health insurance.  Those living without health insurance often can't afford basic checkups, let alone serious treatment.

On August 10-18, 2009, the Inglewood Forum (where Magic Johnson and the Lakers USED to play) hosted a Remote Area Medical no-cost health care event.  On each day 1,500 residents were allowed free access to medical, dental, and vision treatment, again making the Forum the place where the "magic happens."