Photo: shabat
Scientists have found that Acetaminophen—one of the most widely used painkillers in the world—may increase people’s tendency to take risks.
According to researchers, the drug appears to reduce negative emotional responses when individuals consider risky actions. “It seems that acetaminophen makes people feel less fear when thinking about risky behavior,” the scientists noted.
In a series of experiments involving more than 500 students, researchers tested how a single 1,000 mg dose (the recommended maximum single dose for adults) affects risk-taking. Some participants received acetaminophen, while others were given a placebo, without knowing which one they had taken.
Participants were asked to inflate a virtual balloon on a computer screen to earn hypothetical money. The more they inflated it, the more they could earn—but if the balloon burst, they lost everything. Results showed that those who took acetaminophen were more likely to take risks and push the balloon further, leading to more frequent bursts.
