Shyness drug could boost confidence

Jotun

Jotun

Jotun

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A drug that combats shyness and social awkwardness, dubbed "social Viagra", could be developed after scientists investigated a hormone released by new mothers.

Scientists in the US found that oxytocin, a natural hormone that assists childbirth and helps mothers bond with newborn babies, helps reduce anxiety and calm phobias.

There are also signs it may help people with autism.

Teams in the US, Europe and Asia are now racing to commercialise a drug based on the hormone, which can be produced synthetically.
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Paul Zak, a professor of neuroscience at California's Claremont Graduate University, who has tested the hormone on hundreds of patients, 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."

The research has been backed up by studies in other countries.

Researchers at Zurich University in Switzerland were able to ease symptoms of extreme shyness in 120 patients by giving them oxytocin hormone treatment half an hour before they encountered an awkward situation.

A spray of the hormone has also been successfully trialled at the University of New South Wales.

Millions of people in the UK suffer from shyness, and one-in-10 people say it seriously affects their daily life. Some resort to drink or illegal drugs to help overcome their awkwardness.

As well as being released by mothers after childbirth, the hormone is believed to make people more generous. Research shows that the higher the natural level of oxytocin people have in their brain, the more likely they are to give money to charity and act kindly towards strangers. It has also been shown to increase the level of monogamy in rodents.

There is speculation that oxytocin might be able to help new mothers who have trouble bonding with their babies or orphans whose mental scars from neglect make it hard for them to love adoptive parents.

It could have other commercial benefits. For instance, it could be sprayed in restaurants to put diners at ease, or be used as an alternative to tear gas to calm rioters.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...5030/Shyness-drug-could-boost-confidence.html

I'm not sure whether I think this is a good thing or not, as I've always been pretty shy myself and admittedly did used to drink in social situations to try and combat it, but that was because I lacked self confidence and worried too much what other people thought about me. Also the whole idea of diagnosing everything seems to be more and more popular, some things just need to be worked through rather than taking a drug as a temporary solution. I know there's a fair amount of people here who have said they are shy or lacking in confidence from the thread a while ago regarding the book "Instant Confidence" so wondered what everyone else's thoughts on this are?

Hopefully this isn't a repost as I have done a few searched.
 
Agreed this is a waste, if someone is shy it could be because of an incident that has happened in their life which they should come to terms with, not avoided using a drug.
 
at the minimum it should be researched. Understanding how the body works is great. This could lead to discoverys or treatments for other things. Research like this is never pointless or a crap waste of resource.
 
KNiVES said:
E

Although that's a little too effective :p
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Based on the thread title, I thought cocaine... but based on reading this:-

Research shows that the higher the natural level of oxytocin people have in their brain, the more likely they are to give money to charity and act kindly towards strangers.
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Maybe you're right. :p
 
If they were really shy, then surely once it wears off the next day or whenever they are going to be back as they were before so if the whole reason someone liked their personality was because of the drug changing it, once it changes back the person might lose interest.

I wouldn't be surprised if people got in to the frame of mind where they felt they needed to take the drug before entering social situations which they are uncomfortable with and so become even shyer when they don't take it as they might think "oh no, I've not taken the drug, people won't like me as much, I'd better keep quiet". Just my thoughts though as obviously I've never tried it so I could be totally wrong.
 
KNiVES said:
These days there are drugs for anything and everything, makes you wonder just how many of these things are circulating through the bodies of the general populace.
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well considering it's a naturally occurring hormone i'd say quite a few....
 
Jotun said:
If they were really shy, then surely once it wears off the next day or whenever they are going to be back as they were before so if the whole reason someone liked their personality was because of the drug changing it, once it changes back the person might lose interest.

I wouldn't be surprised if people got in to the frame of mind where they felt they needed to take the drug before entering social situations which they are uncomfortable with and so become even shyer when they don't take it as they might think "oh no, I've not taken the drug, people won't like me as much, I'd better keep quiet". Just my thoughts though as obviously I've never tried it so I could be totally wrong.
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Guess it would depend on how the shyness manifests.

What if you are only shy about people you meet for the first time?

Once you break the ice, you are fine, so if breaking the ice is the only thing you have trouble with, then this drug could be useful.
 
Andy said:
Yeh, isn't Oxycotin is an addictive opiate??
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Didn't you read the op? it syas in the article it's a natural hormone.

Oxytocin (IPA: /ˌɔk.sɪ.ˈtoʊ.sɪn/) (Greek, "quick birth") is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

It is best known for its roles in female reproduction: it is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and vagina during labor, and after stimulation of the nipples, facilitating birth and breastfeeding, respectively. Recent studies have begun to investigate oxytocin's role in various behaviors, including social recognition and bonding, anxiety, and maternal behaviors.
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