Nasal Spray to Shed Shyness?
I found this article today. It reports that researches have developed a nasal spray that can help shy people socialise more with others. The spray contains a synthetic version of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that occurs naturally in the body when you are in love. Initial studies have shown dramatically changes in helping adults stop feeling anxious. Large scale study’s now being planned with estimates that if all goes well the product could be on the market within 5 years.
I am pleased to see research in this area, but there is something about this that screams ‘addiction’ and ‘misuse’. Hopefully further research will help ease these concerns.
I think it is always best to work with your own mind first. From my own experience and other people stories, shyness is certainly something you can work to reduce and overcome. You can do this without drugs of any kind (alcohol included). It does raise questions as to whether shyness is something built into us or merely the way (for whatever reason) we have chosen to deal with people. I will be interested to see further results.
Posted: July 17th, 2007 under Overcoming Shyness.
Comments
Comment from Billy
Time July 20, 2007 at 3:33 am
I heard about this and it’s just like using drugs to loss weight. No it is not easy, but it is possible to be successful without medication.
Comment from x3r0bug
Time July 22, 2007 at 10:42 am
Yup I believe Oxytocin is used for a lot of other things besides as a mood enhancer. I think they would have to make a lot of modifications to that nasal spray in order for it to get approved.
The idea sounds great though! Something to help people overcome shyness temporarily (and teaches them to overcome it themselves over time) and doesn’t involve alcohol!
Comment from Sarah
Time July 17, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I have to agree that the spray does not sound like a good long term solution. Oxytocin is a highly addictive drug and probably should only be taken if it is the last resort, like you are in mega pain.