Effective therapies to manage autism remain scarce. According to the exorphin theory of autism, an increase in the levels of exorphin is linked to symptoms of autism. Based on this concept, experiments have attempted to reduce the symptoms of autism by using large amounts of protease to break down exorphins before they are absorbed. Experiments have also attempted to enhance and utilize enzymes existing in the gut to break down exorphins in a similar fashion, since the production of exorphins within the gut is inevitable.