Comments on: Don't you wish your drugs were hot like Oxytocin?

Don't you wish your drugs were hot like Oxytocin?

Brandon Blatcher — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:50:48 -0800

"Tests have shown that oxytocin reduces anxiety levels in users. It is a hormone that facilitates social contact between people."

By: norabarnacl3

norabarnacl3 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:53:02 -0800

I can't wait to make my first 'tocin buddy!

By: anotherpanacea

anotherpanacea — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:55:35 -0800

Restaurants, for instance, could spray a thin mist over customers to put them at ease. It could be used as a benign form of tear gas, quelling any violent feelings among groups of demonstrators, or even to prevent extramarital affairs. Ok, I'm getting soma flashbacks here.

By: Plutor

Plutor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:56:28 -0800

In my experience, restaurants already provide a chemical "that facilitates social contact between people." It's called alcohol.

By: TedW

TedW — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:56:57 -0800

In the future everyone can be a wet nurse!

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:59:47 -0800

You could just jack that shit right in the vein and get seriously fucking friendly with some nice people over lunch.

By: a3matrix

a3matrix — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:59:52 -0800

Soma...

By: DU

DU — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:41 -0800

Maybe groups of demonstrators should just decide on which restaurants they are going to meet at to avoid these embarrassing run-ins. And seriously, this reminds me of coffee and beer. People always say "you'll LEARN to like it!" But I don't like it NOW, so what's the incentive to learn? Similarly, I already don't like hanging out with people. Maybe I would if I took it, but there's no incentive. (Of course, if I had a phobia, rather than an intense hatred of inane small talk that would be a different story.)

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:03:50 -0800

Last time I saw someone (my wife during delivery) being doped up with oxytocin, her anxiety level only increased.

By: Dave Faris

Dave Faris — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:04:31 -0800

Of course, long term use of the stuff makes you deaf, so you'll have to shout your order at the waitstaff.

By: Jofus

Jofus — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:08:54 -0800

Hey! Me too!

By: kldickson

kldickson — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:14:06 -0800

Newsflash: This is not news. We in neuroscience have known this for decades. A great big DUH to whoever wrote that.

By: slimepuppy

slimepuppy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:14:50 -0800

It could be used as a benign form of tear gas, quelling any violent feelings among groups of demonstrators 1. Invent chemical to suppress violent/'bad' feelings. 2. Spray it on people 3. Reavers!

By: tommasz

tommasz — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:16:05 -0800

YES, I'D LIKE THE FRIES WITH THAT!

By: Jofus

Jofus — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:17:22 -0800

Here's how you write about scientific studies for broadsheet* newspapers: 1) Summary of findings copied more or less verbatim from press release. "Scientists investigating oxytocin, a natural hormone that assists childbirth and helps mothers bond with newborn babies, believe it could become a wonder drug for overcoming shyness. Trials have found that oxytocin can reduce anxiety and ease phobias." 2) Misleading but still reasonable-sounding interpretation of that press release in laymen's terms. "The potential uses of oxytocin could ultimately extend well beyond individual patients and into commercial environments. Restaurants, for instance, could spray a thin mist over customers to put them at ease. " 3) Increasingly outlandish and bizarre claims to fade. "It could be used as a benign form of tear gas, quelling any violent feelings among groups of demonstrators, or even to prevent extramarital affairs." Note: Removed from this article due to space constraints: "...and snakes, many of which will be thousands of miles long will roam the planet, devouring everything..." *For Daily Mail version of this story, follow steps 1-3 and insert headline including one or more of these words: Cancer. House Prices. Boffins. Immigrants.

By: Sys Rq

Sys Rq — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:19:02 -0800

Liquid Trust Spray sounds just completely horrifying. At least with something like Soma, you'd know when it had been administered. I mean, think about it: "How will I ever get people to trust me? But of course! By drugging them without their knowledge!"

By: grobstein

grobstein — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:19:51 -0800

Spray it in restaurants!? I mean, I guess if the patrons are fully informed, it's sort of ethical. Stupid fucking Times article doesn't mention that the hormone makes you more trusting -- credulous, even. I don't want merchants -- even restaurants -- manipulating my brain chemistry to sell me things.

By: StandardObfuscatingProcedure

StandardObfuscatingProcedure — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:21:54 -0800

Wow. I read that the first time as Oxy-CONTIN. And my first reaction was, well that's why all those hillbilles and Ruch Limbaugh like it so much...

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:24:56 -0800

Restaurants, for instance, could spray a thin mist over customers to put them at ease. I hate it when they write stuff like this. Its like they are amateur science-fiction writers. What government would allow non-doctors to introduce a drug to a general audience? Heck, at least alcohol and nicotine are self-administered. Think of all the random people in a restaurant. Children, infants, sick people, mentally ill, people already on other medications, etc.

By: rocket88

rocket88 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:33:33 -0800

~~Restaurants~~ Car dealerships, for instance, could spray a thin mist over customers to ~~put them at ease~~ make them more trusting and willing to sign on the dotted line.

By: DU

DU — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:37:00 -0800

Here's how you write about scientific studies for broadsheet* newspapers But how effective is oxytocin at quelling violent restaurant demonstrators expressed in units of "the size of Texas"?

By: Avenger

Avenger — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:42:25 -0800

I love you guys.

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:45:36 -0800

I loved that Time article. It was so full of hyperbole, it made my day. How can you not love lines like this: "Researchers say it could provide a safe answer for millions of people who suffer from shyness without them having to resort to alcohol to overcome the problem" Though 0.1% of the population probably isn't going to react well to the drug. Humor aside, I wonder how they're going to determine what level of shyness is too much and whether making shy people really trusting is good in the general sense, the implications of something like LiquidTrust (see facilitates link) and does the damn drug even work (see people link) and if so, how well.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:49:29 -0800

That Times article looks to be heavily dependent on maias's recent New Scientist article on the subject. I suspect plagarism at work -- though plagarism of this kind is somewhat acceptable in the British media, rather than the terrible disgrace that American journalists consider it to be.

By: Plutor

Plutor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:50:41 -0800

damn dirty ape: "Think of all the random people in a restaurant. Children, infants, sick people ..." *Sprays damn dirty ape* There, there. There, there.

By: Dave Faris

Dave Faris — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:51:55 -0800

I read that the first time as Oxy-CONTIN. Whoops. So did I. Please disregard my last comment.

By: stupidsexyFlanders

stupidsexyFlanders — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:52:38 -0800

The Democratic caucus has apparently been huffing this stuff for the past seven and a half years.

By: goodnewsfortheinsane

goodnewsfortheinsane — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:57:03 -0800

This warrants an obligatory link to a comic that made the rounds a while ago, but I can't find it right now so I'll just paraplagiaphrase the gist of it: "I've found a way to make my girlfriend never leave me. Every night I wait until she's asleep and then I stick a nicotine patch on her body. Every morning, I get up early and remove it before she wakes up. Now, she's addicted to me."

By: ZenMasterThis

ZenMasterThis — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:10:41 -0800

MetaFilter: an intense hatred of inane small talk

By: EatTheWeak

EatTheWeak — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:46:55 -0800

My whole life has been crippled by my shyness. I would be all over this shit if it was shown to work. Is there any way to boost your oxytocin levels without pills or letting a restaurant bathe you in a fine mist?

By: grouse

grouse — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:52:53 -0800

Love is oxytocin. (Disclaimer: a friend of mine is involved in that web site and the T-shirts.)

By: Green Eyed Monster

Green Eyed Monster — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:57:02 -0800

Yes, EatTheWeek. Having sex. Just sleep with someone, and you'll feel bonded to them for a little bit afterwards.

By: isopraxis

isopraxis — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:02:59 -0800

All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects. 'Hug me till you drug me, honey; Kiss me till I'm in a coma; Hug me, honey, snuggly bunny; Love's as good as soma.

By: Afroblanco

Afroblanco — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:04:33 -0800

I object to this as it may reduce my social advantage as a natural extrovert.

By: MythMaker

MythMaker — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:07:21 -0800

If businesses start spraying this stuff around, it's because it will make people give them more money. Oxytocin makes you trust people more, whether or not you ought to. This is really dangerous mind-controlling stuff that marketers and those that prey on others shouldn't be allowed near.

By: Floydd

Floydd — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:07:28 -0800

Just sleep with someone, and you'll feel bonded to them for a little bit afterwards. Ah HA! We'll see how the relationship goes now that I'm on to her cunning stunt!

By: sixswitch

sixswitch — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:24:01 -0800

cunning stunt Thank you for introducing me to that excellent spoonerism.

By: Tehanu

Tehanu — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:34:45 -0800

It could be used as a benign form of tear gas, quelling any violent feelings among groups of demonstrators 1. Invent chemical to suppress violent/'bad' feelings. 2. Spray it on people 3. Reavers! I love you. Also, I think we are going to need some grenades.

By: Senor Cardgage

Senor Cardgage — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:37:19 -0800

But can it also be made to give worms to ex-boyfriends?

By: rokusan

rokusan — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:47:36 -0800

(Of course, if I had a phobia, rather than an intense hatred of inane small talk that would be a different story.) You just said that, as an aside, in a freaking COMMENT ON METAFILTER. Go have a cup of coffee or self-awareness, then come back and laugh along!

By: FelliniBlank

FelliniBlank — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:09:31 -0800

I don't want merchants -- even restaurants -- manipulating my brain chemistry to sell me things. Fuck, I knew those "perfume-spritzing" terrorists at the entrances of department stores were not to be trusted.

By: EatTheWeak

EatTheWeak — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:13:01 -0800

Green-Eyed Monster - Cute. If I was having more sex, I'd hardly be having a shyness problem, now would I?

By: EatTheWeak

EatTheWeak — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:16:00 -0800

Yikes, that came out snarkier than I meant it. Man, socializing is hard.

By: Unicorn on the cob

Unicorn on the cob — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:52:29 -0800

Note: Everyone needs a drug.

By: darth_tedious

darth_tedious — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:06:27 -0800

Eat the Weak, Here's something simple you can play with: When you want to approach someone, make a mental image of that person. Notice where, in your mind's eye, the image seems to be. Do you place the eye-level of your intended acquaintance at or above your own? Try literally moving the image of that person down to the level of your knees-- do this really quickly, over and over again, so that eventually that person *feels* lower, and less intimidating. Remember, you aren't in any way diminishing that person-- all you are doing is reducing the anxiety you associate with that person, and finding a perspective that allows you to comfortably interact... in a way that should enable both of you to feel more comfortable, feel more at ease, and have more fun, as you enjoy getting to know each other.

By: jamjam

jamjam — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:19:42 -0800

I saw a patent for a synthetic antagonist to oxytocin recently. Coming soon to a military unit/ street gang/ sales force/ mercenary army near you.

By: Bathtub Bobsled

Bathtub Bobsled — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:37:33 -0800

I saw a patent for a synthetic antagonist to oxytocin recently. Coming soon to a military unit/ street gang/ sales force/ mercenary army near you. Because... um... that's something they need?

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:56:27 -0800

Is there any way to boost your oxytocin levels without pills or letting a restaurant bathe you in a fine mist? Yes, breastfeed a baby. You can actually feel the teensy doses hit your bloodstream at fairly regular intervals -- and it triggers the letdown reflex, so you can also feel an almost-simultaneous tingle in your chest from the "milk ejection reflex" as you start spraying milk like a water gun. Seriously! And yes, I do know what oxytocin feels like (on a more massive scale, ahem) -- not to mention the synthetic oxytocin (pitocin) that was pumped into me for almost 24 hours in the hospital while my labor was being induced -- and this is definitely a very small version of the same stuff. But legal! (Oh God, does that make my kid my dealer?) As for creating credulousness and artificial trust, though, I think we crunchy breastfeeding mommas are probably some of the most anti-corporate anti-advertising self/family-centered "bad consumers" you can think of, so I'm not really sure oxytocin sprays in stores are going to work that well as a sales tactic.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:50:25 -0800

I think we crunchy breastfeeding mommas are probably some of the most anti-corporate anti-advertising self/family-centered "bad consumers" you can think of That'd be why prams now resemble SUVs, toddlers are dressed in cutesy designer gear, and every household cleaning advertisement on TV features a baby crawling around on the floor.

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:51:53 -0800

You're confusing the commercialization of Western motherhood with what I actually wrote: "crunchy breastfeeding mommas ". I seriously doubt there is an overlap between the moms who buy the $1000 Bugaboo strollers and the moms who breastfeed (or who make some attempt to do so). The latter are more likely to have their kids bundled into a homemade sling or fabric Mei Tai and forgo the stroller altogether.

By: birdie birdington

birdie birdington — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:19:27 -0800

Jonah Lehrer on the research. That said, oxytocin hype is getting out of control. (Just today, Drudge linked to a lame article on how oxytocin can "cure" shyness. So can a six-pack.) It's become the neurotransmitter-of-the-month, the occult chemical that can make you more moral, romantic and outgoing. By the way, it's also a potential cure for autism. While there's been some really interesting research on oxytocin - I'm particularly enamored of the ultimatum game stuff - I think we're in danger of falling into what I'll call the serotonin trap. Remember when serotonin was the secret of happiness, the little molecule that, when elevated by an SSRI, could cure depression and make even healthy individuals happier? Well, that neat story is so incomplete it's wrong. I hope we don't make the same over-enthusiastic mistake with oxytocin.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:30:01 -0800

You're confusing the commercialization of Western motherhood with what I actually wrote: "crunchy breastfeeding mommas" uh, ok. i thought (almost) all mothers breastfed, not just the bohemian fringe. then again, i'm surrounded by hybrid hipster types, who use 16-wheel strollers with special compartments for yoga mats & refillable organic soy yoghurt containers. gotta say though, i love the slings that african women use to carry their little ones around, in the smalls of their backs. the babies seem to spend their entire time sleeping. must be the warmth & the swaying motion from the walking.

By: Dillonlikescookies

Dillonlikescookies — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:11:33 -0800

as said, it's been known for ages by psychologist and neuroscientists. It's not a wonder chemical. most of it's effect IMO is from the slow behaviour conditioning associated with it and the generally pleasant situations you are exposed to it under, at an age where you are totally impressionable. the rest of the article.. jeez.

By: MythMaker

MythMaker — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:18:38 -0800

We ought to worry about it. I linked to this above, but I'll quote for emphasis:

They were each asked to contribute money to a human trustee, with the understanding that the trustee would invest the money and decide whether to return the profits, or betray the subject's trust by keeping the profit. The subjects also received doses of oxytocin or a placebo via a nasal spray. After investing, the participants were given feedback on the trustees. When their trust was abused, the placebo group became less willing to invest. But the players who had been given oxytocin continued to trust their money with a broker. "We can see that oxytocin has a very powerful effect," said Dr Baumgartner. "The subjects who received oxytocin demonstrated no change in their trust behaviour, even though they were informed that their trust was not honoured in roughly 50% of cases."^

To know that you've been betrayed and to not worry about it because you're full of oxytocin is something we ought to be concerned about.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:23:45 -0800

In other news, Diebold has released a new range of machines, which emit lovely bursts of air freshener to enhance the voting experience.

By: aeschenkarnos

aeschenkarnos — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:29:28 -0800

The thing about wearing it as a cologne, or spraying it in the sales floor is, it affects the sprayers just as much, if not more. So not only do you feel an emotional connection to your car salesman, and a desire to trust and help him, he feels the same way about you. This should make it a lot harder for him to rip you off.

By: The Light Fantastic

The Light Fantastic — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:43:28 -0800

To know that you've been betrayed and to not worry about it because you're full of oxytocin is something we ought to be concerned about. Sounds like my last relationship.