Acetaminophen, widely known as Tylenol or Panadol, is one of the most frequently used pain relievers globally. However, a 2020 study suggests it may also influence behavior by increasing risk-taking tendencies.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that individuals under the drug’s influence experienced reduced negative emotions when facing risky situations. Neuroscientist Baldwin Way explained, “Acetaminophen seems to make people feel less anxious about potential risks, which could have significant societal implications.”
The study involved over 500 university students, who were given either a 1,000 mg dose of acetaminophen or a placebo. Participants then engaged in a computerized balloon-inflation task, where pumping the balloon earned them imaginary money—but bursting it meant losing their earnings. Results showed that students who took acetaminophen inflated (and popped) their balloons more often than those on the placebo.
Additionally, surveys measuring risk perception in hypothetical situations, such as gambling, bungee jumping, or driving without a seatbelt, showed mixed results. While one survey indicated reduced risk awareness in acetaminophen users, another did not.
Researchers suggest this effect may stem from reduced anxiety rather than increased recklessness. While the findings are not conclusive, they highlight the need for further research into how common over-the-counter medications influence decision-making.
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