Scientists find childbirth wonder drug that can 'cure' shyness (oxytocin)

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | June 22, 2008 | Andy Dolan

[Stoat]

It can turn anything from job interviews to the most routine of family gatherings into a sweat-inducing ordeal.

But a 'love drug' produced naturally by the body during sex and childbirth could offer hope to the millions of people blighted by shyness, scientists have said.

Investigators believe oxytocin - a natural hormone that assists childbirth and helps mothers bond with newborn babies - could become a wonder drug for overcoming shyness.

 

Trials have found that oxytocin can reduce anxiety and ease phobias. Researchers say the hormone offers a possible, safe, alternative to alcohol as a means of overcoming the problem.

Sixty per cent of Britons say they have suffered from shyness and one in 10 say it impedes their daily life.

Researchers in the US, Europe and Australia are now racing to develop commercial forms of the hormone, including a nasal spray.

They believe it could also be turned into a 'wonder drug' to treat a range of personality disorders such as autism, depression and anxiety.

Paul Zak, a professor of neuroscience at California’s Claremont Graduate University said: 'Tests have shown that oxytocin reduces anxiety levels in users. It is a hormone that facilitates social contact between people.

What’s more, it is a very safe product that does not have any side effects and is not addictive.'

Professor Zak has tested the hormone on hundreds of patients. Its main effect is to curb the instincts of wariness and suspicion that cause anxiety.

 

[Stoat]

Intraventricular oxytoxin induces yawning and penile erection in rats

ROTFLMAO!!!

The sort of combined behaviors that do not necessarily make for a 'good date'

"snicker"

[Stoat]

“What’s more, it is a very safe product that does not have any side effects and is not addictive.’”

Except for falling in love with the next person you see after taking the drug.

Something that will be of great interest to cads and rapists as 'the new date-rape drug' but a living hell for those who take it and experience that effect.....

“What’s more, it is a very safe product that does not have any side effects and is not addictive.’”

Except for falling in love with the next person you see after taking the drug.

[Dumpster Baby]

"I'm ready for my interview..."

[Grizzled Bear]

We are going to be a planet of game show hosts.

Or a planet of formerly shy adults attempting to breast feed...

[Stoat]

No, thanks. I watched as my wife was induced with Oxytocin. I guess it helped with the delivery of our son, but it turned her into Lucille Ball for a week or so afterward. (Not physically, but she was a ditz.)

Congratulations to you on the arrival of your son  :-)

As to your wife's personality change, she is lucky to have a husband as understanding as yourself, and hopefully she cooked you several nice steak dinners afterwards to illustrate her appreciation for you in a tangible way   :-)

[Stoat]

If there are no shy people, how will I get a chance to talk?

LMAO

I suppose you could do what so many rude people do and simply interrupt others when they are talking, but no FReeper could possibly be rude like that....right?

"snicker"

[Stoat]

Oxytocin is supposedly one factor responsible for the greater ability of women to handle repetitive tasks. Maybe it would be good for ADD.

Indeed....it may also be a cure for the mental disorder known as "liberalism"....from the article:

Previous research into the hormone by Professor Zak suggested that generous people had higher than average levels of oxytocin in the brain, while mean-spirited people have lower than normal levels.

[buccaneer81]

Congratulations to you on the arrival of your son :-) As to your wife's personality change, she is lucky to have a husband as understanding as yourself, and hopefully she cooked you several nice steak dinners afterwards to illustrate her appreciation for you in a tangible way :-)

LOL!

My son is 12 now. His mother and I divorced six years ago.

A result of Oxytocin? Who knows ;-)

[Stoat]

"I'm ready for my interview..."

LMAO!

You're hired!  hehe!

But I wouldn't want to be the HR person interviewing the Rosie O'Donnell lookalike who just took a basketful of that drug....oh lawdy....

[Stoat]

His mother and I divorced six years ago.

I'm very sorry to hear that, and I hope that life has gotten better for you since.

A result of Oxytocin? Who knows ;-)
 

A woman's heart is a tempestuous place....I'm certainly no expert on the matter, but personal experience in healthcare suggests to me that sometimes people don't 'completely' recover from drug regimens that have significant personality-altering side effects.  That's just my experience with a few specific cases though, and not the result of clinical studies.

[Dianna]

I guess it helped with the delivery of our son, but it turned her into Lucille Ball for a week or so afterward.

You blame the meds? It couldn't possibly have been stress, exhaustion or the life-changing event itself?

I'd let you know if I were ditzy after the birth of my sons, but I remember so little of it...

[Slings and Arrows]

---

[VanShuyten]

"Its main effect is to curb the instincts of wariness and suspicion that cause anxiety."

I live in Prince George's County, about a long rifle shot from DC, and I view instincts of wariness and suspicion as a normal mental state - not something that should be treated.

[Stoat]

"Its main effect is to curb the instincts of wariness and suspicion that cause anxiety."

I live in Prince George's County, about a long rifle shot from DC, and I view instincts of wariness and suspicion as a normal mental state - not something that should be treated.
 

LMAO!

Agreed wholeheartedly   :-)

In fact, I would tend to support clinical trials of any drug designed to 'increase' wariness of all things, persons and pronouncements coming out of DC  :-)

"Its main effect is to curb the instincts of wariness and suspicion that cause anxiety."

I live in Prince George's County, about a long rifle shot from DC, and I view instincts of wariness and suspicion as a normal mental state - not something that should be treated.
 

[Stoat]

Thank you very much for pinging your list  :-)

[Titan Magroyne]

Intraventricular oxytoxin induces yawning and penile erection in rats ROTFLMAO!!!
The sort of combined behaviors that do not necessarily make for a 'good date' Talk about sending mixed signals!