Scientist Ernest Fehr and a Swiss team of his have recently finished a study that concludes that the feeling of trust can be artificially stimulated by the chemical “Oxytoxin”. From the Nature article

Oxytocin is a chemical that is produced naturally in the brain. Its production is triggered by a range of stimuli, including sex and breastfeeding, and it is known to be important in the formation of social ties, such as mating pairs and parent-offspring bonds.

The researchers investigated whether the effects of Oxitoxin can be produced simply by getting people to inhale it rather than stimulating them to produce it.

The answer: yes.

So, I imagine you should start looking forward to seeing some “Social Spray” at the drugstore sometime in the future.

How sorely I need it.

Story VIA FutureFeeder

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