Selling trust in a bottle (literally)

[Thom Little]

The hormone oxcytocin, which plays a role in childbirth, breast-feeding, orgasm and feelings of love, is usually thought to have a happy set of responsibilities within the body. But a new study suggests that the hormone could be put to more sinister uses. According to a paper published in the June issue of Nature, a research team at the University of Zurich has determined that a nasal spray containing oxcytocin can be used to make human subjects more trusting.

In the study, 128 male participants played several rounds of a game borrowed from economic and social-behavior theory. The game essentially offers rewards to "investors" who are willing to temporarily entrust some or all of their money to anonymous "trustees." Almost half of the investors who took three puffs per nostril of the oxcytocin spray transferred all of their money to their unseen trustees, whereas only a quarter of those who inhaled a placebo went that far. "Oxcytocin doesn't make you nicer or more optimistic or more willing to gamble," says Michael Kosfeld, who headed the research team. "It causes a substantial increase in trusting behavior."

Kosfeld grudgingly allows that his team's research could one day be applied to exploit people. But for the time being, salesmen, politicians and Lotharios looking to increase their appearance of trustworthiness will have a hard time gaining much benefit from the new findings. "At this point you have to use the nasal spray," Kosfeld says, "so you really need the consent of the other person, which requires a certain degree of trust in the first place." Moreover, the effect lasts only a few minutes - hardly long enough to negotiate a contract for someone's soul.

These limitations notwithstanding, an Internet-based company, Vero Labs, has already been inspired by the Zurich study to create a body spray called Liquid Trust, supposedly containing oxcytocin. "Scientists have recently discovered a chemical that makes people trust each other," reads the company's promotional materials. "For the first time, you can have the world in the palm of your hands."


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/magazine/11ideas_section4-11.html

[havocmom]

1. Makes ya wonder who might be putting what in the water

Could explain a lot.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. Hmmm, when I received IV oxytocin to induce labor, I don't recall

having increased trust. I actually was sort of snarky and P.O.'d at my poor husband, who was doing his best to coach me when I was in a "somewhat" grouchy mood. And I was especially not happy with my Gyn doc, even though I loved her and thought she was great when I wasn't in labor.


That said, this whole concept of chemical trust is major creepy. MKJ

[MuseRider]

3. I was thinking the same thing.

Pissed me off it did, royally.

Yes, this is very creepy.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

4. LOL, a fellow oxytocin recipient. Maybe it was the agonizing

uterine cramping that kept us from feeling particularly trusting.;-)

Which makes me think that this particular side effect may offset any positive feelings from this drug. MKJ

[DebJ]

5. oxytocin kool aid!!!

[frazzledmom]

6. Hell they probably tested this on Limpballs... n/t

[Ruby Romaine]

7. don't forget Hypersonic sound (used during the RNC)-sound directly beamed

to the (possibly unsuspecting) listener using no speaker.

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/efe4359b9fa84010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html