According to a new study, volunteers who inhaled a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin were better at detecting other peoples emotions.
The study, conducted by Siri Leknes, a research fellow at the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo and funded under the Research Council of Norway’s Alcohol and Drug Research Program (RUSMIDDEL), focused on oxytocin, which is already well-known as the “bliss hormone” for helping provide a calm and relaxed feeling.
The researchers provided 40 healthy student volunteers with a nasal spray containing either oxytocin or water. Study participants were then shown pictures of faces expressing different emotions, such as angry, happy or neutral expressions. According to the researchers, some participants displayed more “hidden” emotional response, which are usually picked up on a more subconscious level.
Dr Leknes said:
“We found that oxytocin intensified test subjects’ awareness of the emotions present in the photos. Faces expressing anger stood out as angrier and less happy, and correspondingly, faces expressing happiness were happier.
We know that people express feelings in other ways than through facial expression alone, for example, by means of body language and vocalization. We presume that our findings also apply for these models of expression.”
The experiment was conducted twice, in order to make sure that all participants were tested using both the oxytocin and salt water. During both experiments, participants were unaware of which spray they received.
Dr Leknes explained:
“It turns out that those with the lowest aptitude for judging emotional expression properly – that is, those with the poorest scores during the saltwater round – were the ones who showed the greatest improvement using oxytocin. This is really fascinating; the people who need it the most are thus the ones who get the most out of using the hormone.”
The researchers believe in the hormones potential as a supplementary treatment for individuals suffering from mental health disorders or drug-dependency.
Dr. Leknes said: “Oxytocin will not be a cure-all for mental illness or drug addition, but it may be of use as a supplementary treatment. It may make individuals better equipped to interpret the signals of others around them, which may improve how they function in social settings.”
Oxytocin nasal spray is currently available through prescription and adverse effects are rare. In addition, the physicians are permitted to prescribe the hormone for the treatment of various problems associated with social functionality, such as autism.
Dr Leknes explained: “In such cases, however, it’s a matter of isolated treatments which are not evaluated as a whole. It is important that we research this to gain greater insight into the effect.”
The team aim to investigate the effectiveness of oxytocin as a supplementary treatment for drug abusers.
Dr Leknes concluded:
“If it turns out that our assumptions are correct, then we may be able to come up with a simple treatment that would mean a great deal for people who find it difficult to pick up on the social cues of their peers.”
Written by Grace Rattue