oxytocin & trade

scientists are experimenting with a nose spray containing synthetic oxytocin, our body's bonding hormone. oxytocin is involved in a host of processes involving human interaction (including love and sex).

after using the spray, subjects were more willing to invest money with a high risk (i.e., with no guarantee of profit) - but only when trading with a human. scientists believe the hormone jolt encouraged players to trust their partner more than they typically would have.

researchers see the spray as having the potential to help people with social phobias and autism, and i assume probably for postpartum depression as well (women who don't breastfeed don't get the oxytocin payoff, and could benefit). i see lots of other non-pathological applications, esp. as regards the military - how useful it would be to implicitly trust your fellow soldiers despite what your brain would rationally tell you.

however in some instances wouldn't distrust, rather than trust, benefit? i wonder the danger of extra oxytocin overriding good judgment?

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Labels: neuroscience