Global analgesics can weaken people's 'risk perception' and induce dangerous behavior
Effects of acetaminophen on risk taking | Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience | Oxford Academic
https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/15/7/725/5897711
A pain reliever that alters perceptions of risk
https://news.osu.edu/a-pain-reliever-that-alters-perceptions-of-risk/
The Most Common Pain Relief Drug in The World Induces Risky Behavior, Study Suggests
https://www.sciencealert.com/the-most-common-pain-relief-drug-in-the-world-induces-risky-behaviour-study-finds
Acetaminophen is the most common pharmaceutical ingredient in the United States and is included in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription drugs. A 2010 study reported that 'acetaminophen reduces susceptibility to traumatic injuries,' and a 2016 study suggests that it reduces empathy. Aminophen is known to have various effects in addition to its analgesic effect.
A research team led by Baldwin Way, a neuroscientist at The Ohio State University, conducted a three-part experiment with a total of 545 undergraduate students to investigate the impact of acetaminophen on 'risk perception.' The we. In both trials, the team randomly gave subjects 1000 mg of acetaminophen, the same as the recommended amount of headache drug for adults, and the rest of the subjects were given a placebo.
In the experiment, subjects taking acetaminophen or placebo were engaged in the task of repeating the trial of 'pumping air into a balloon on a computer screen to inflate it and earning virtual money for the amount of air sent.' did. Subjects can stop pumping air at any time and deposit money in a virtual bank to proceed to the next attempt. However, if the balloon inflates beyond a certain level, it will explode, and you will not be able to earn the virtual money you earned from that trial, and you will have to forcibly proceed to the next trial.
'By blowing air into the balloon, the balloon gets bigger and bigger on the computer screen and you can make more money. But as the balloon gets bigger,' I know I'll lose money if the balloon breaks, Should we make more air and make money? ”Way said.
As a result of the experiment, it was found that the subjects who took acetaminophen sent more air and were more likely to break the balloon than the subjects who took the placebo. In other words, subjects who took placebo took a more conservative and cautious approach, while subjects who took acetaminophen chose higher-risk behavior.
'Subjects taking placebo may be worried about the possibility of the balloon breaking as the size of the balloon grows. If the anxiety grows too high, people will end the trial,' the researchers said. Acetaminophen reduces this anxiety and can lead to risks. '
In addition to the test of injecting air into the balloon, each experiment asked the subjects to evaluate the risk in various situations. Among the scenarios presented to the subjects were 'bet on sporting events,' 'bungee jumping from high bridges,' 'driving without seat belts,' 'going out at night in unsafe areas,' and '30s.' 'Change your career in the middle' and so on.
Analyzing the results of the questionnaire, it seems that not all experiments confirmed consistent results, but subjects who took acetaminophen tended to underestimate the overall risk than the average. The research team concludes.
Our results do not indicate that acetaminophen directly weakens risk perception, but may lead to lower risk perception through other psychological processes such as anxiety relief. There is sex. 'With nearly 25% of the U.S. population taking acetaminophen weekly, lower risk awareness and increased risky behavior can have a significant impact on society,' Way said. ..
Decreased risk awareness not only affects the person's life, but may also lead to behavior such as 'I think it's okay anyway, even though I have symptoms of the new coronavirus infection, and go out carelessly.' Way said that the impact of acetaminophen and other over-the-counter drugs on people's choices and risks needs to be further investigated.
Related Posts:
in Science, Posted by log1h_ik