Does Paracetamol Lead to Riskier Decisions?
A recent study has reignited interest in the potential psychological effects of acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol. Widely used for pain relief under brand names such as Tylenol and Panadol, the drug might do more than just alleviate physical discomfort. New research suggests it could also influence risk-taking behavior, prompting concerns given the drug’s ubiquity.
Researchers led by Baldwin Way at The Ohio State University investigated how acetaminophen affects risk perception. Their findings, published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, indicated that the drug might reduce anxiety about risk-taking. The study followed experiments involving over 500 university students who were assigned either acetaminophen or a placebo. Participants engaged in tasks designed to measure risk propensity, such as inflating a virtual balloon to collect imaginary money without bursting it. Those who took acetaminophen displayed a greater tendency to take risks compared to those given a placebo.