Paracetamol Is No Longer Just for Pain, It's for the Psyche Too
New research has shown that acetaminophen, which is found in many over-the-counter painkillers, can dull feelings of pleasure.
New evidence recently suggests that one of the most taken drugs in the United States, and the most commonly consumed worldwide, could be doing so much more than just easing one's headache.
Specifically, acetaminophen, more commonly known as "paracetamol," is widely available and sold with the labels, "Panadol and Tylenol," which increases risk-taking.
The said drugs were indicated in the new research that measured the changes in people's behavior when they are under the influence of the standard "over-the-counter" medicines.
According to The Ohio State University neuroscientist, Baldwin Way, acetaminophen appears "to make people feel less negative emotion" when considering dangerous activities. Meaning, Way explained, these people "just don't feel as scared."
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Effect of Taking Acetaminophen in the US
The said study indicates, with almost 25 percent of the US population consuming acetaminophen every week, lower risk insights and higher risk-taking could significantly impact society.
Additionally, according to reports, the findings "add to a recent body of research suggesting that" impacts of acetaminophen on the reduction of pain also extend to several psychological processes, reducing the receptivity of people to hurt others' feelings, experiencing lesser empathy, and even diminishing cognitive functions.
Similarly, this new study suggests that people's affective ability to identify and assess risks can be damaged when taking acetaminophen.
While the impacts might be minor, they are certainly worthy to note, given the said medicine is the most typically consumed drug ingredient in the country, found in more than 600 different types of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
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A Study Involving Hundreds of University Students
In a series of experiments that involved more than 500 participating students, Way, together with his team, measured how a single dose of acetaminophen with 1,000 mg per dose randomly assigned to respondents impacted their risk-taking behavior.
These group, based on the study, was "compared against placebos" randomly provided to a control group. Notably, the recommended maximum single dosage for an adult is 1,000 mg.
Experiment results showed that participants who were given acetaminophen got involved in considerably more risk-taking while doing the exercise than the more careful and "conservative placebo group."
Meanwhile, in one of the surveys related to this research, taking acetaminophen did seem to lower perceived risk compared to the control group. However, in another smaller survey, a similar impact was not observed and identified.
Nonetheless, based on the results' average across the various trials, in general, the research team has concluded that there is a considerable link between acetaminophen consumption and selecting more risk, even if the observed impact can be slender.
Hope for Future Research
While scientists are at it, it is undoubted that are also likely to have future opportunities to further examine the role and effectiveness of acetaminophen in pain relief more extensively after studies in previous years found that in numerous medical scenarios, the said medicine can be effective as a pain reliever, and at times, is "no better than placebo" on top of attracting other kinds of health conditions.
Furthermore, despite the seriousness of such results, acetaminophen, though, stays one of the most commonly consumed drugs worldwide, considered an essential drug by the World Health Organization.
It is also recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "as the primary medicine" one should probably take to alleviate symptoms if he suspects he might have COVID-19.
Specifically, Way said, perhaps, an individual who has "mild COVID-19 symptoms may not consider it as risky to leave home" and meet with friends and relatives if he is taking acetaminophen.
More research is needed, the neuroscientist elaborated, in terms of "effects of acetaminophen," as well as the other over-the-counter medicines on the choices and risks taken.
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