A new study has revealed that paracetamol, one of the most commonly consumed analgesic worldwide, may hinder your decision-making skills. Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol and sold widely under the brand names Tylenol and Panadol, may have the potential to change people’s behaviour.
According to a report by Science Alert, the findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that acetaminophen’s effects on pain reduction also extend to various psychological processes.
“Acetaminophen seems to make people feel less negative emotion when they consider risky activities – they just don’t feel as scared,” explained neuroscientist Baldwin Way from The Ohio State University when the findings were published, as quoted by Science Alert.
“With nearly 25 percent of the population in the US taking acetaminophen each week, reduced risk perceptions and increased risk-taking could have important effects on society.”
According to the study, paracetamol can lower people’s receptivity to hurt feelings, experiencing reduced empathy, and even blunting cognitive functions.
Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in America, found in over 600 different kinds of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
“If you’re risk-averse, you may pump a few times and then decide to cash out because you don’t want the balloon to burst and lose your money,” Way said as quoted by Science Alert.
“It may be that as the balloon increases in size, those on placebo feel increasing amounts of anxiety about a potential burst,” the researchers explained.
“When the anxiety becomes too much, they end the trial. Acetaminophen may reduce this anxiety, thus leading to greater risk taking.”
Acetaminophen is considered an essential medicine by the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings were reported in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience journal.