A team of American and Swiss scientists has found that after a few spouts of the spray containing the hormone oxytocin, humans were significantly more trusting.
The team also suggested the spray could be used as a therapy for trust-diminishing conditions, such as autism or some social phobias, reported the Scottish daily The Scotsman.
The research showed that after using the spray, volunteers became more willing to risk losing money to a stranger.
Volunteers who sniffed oxytocin gave away their money much more easily.
Even animal studies have proved that oxytocin takes away the unwillingness to approach one another, "which is a parallel with trust in humans", said Michael Kosfeld, one of the scientists involved in the research.
"Along with psychotherapy it could have a positive effect," he said.
Oxytocin is widely known as "love hormone", and is released during orgasm.
It has also been proved to be released when cuddling or touching takes place, and women release it in labour and during breastfeeding.
After the experimentation, scientists have claimed to show that increasing the amount of the hormone present in the body could directly affect the trust factor.
New magazine for heart patients to hit the stands
Publish Date : 2/26/2007 8:59:00 AM
The American Heart Association (AHA) and a leading medical publication are launching a new consumer magazine for heart patients, their families and caregivers.
``Souvenir`` prenatal ultrasound worries experts
Publish Date : 2/3/2007 10:24:00 AM
Parents anxious to have souvenir ultrasounds photographs or film clips of the fetus the womb should make sure they are done by professionals who follow strict safety guidelines.
Bird flu virus confirmed at Okayama farm
Publish Date : 1/31/2007 12:29:00 PM
The highly virulent H5 strain of the avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Okayama Prefecture where dozens of birds have died in the past several days, the agriculture ministry announced Monday.
British Muslims urged to shun 'unholy' vaccines
Publish Date : 1/29/2007 8:40:00 AM
An influential Muslim doctor has provoked an outcry here by asking British Muslims not to vaccinate their children against diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella because it is "un-Islamic".
Pakistan to build Rs.2.25 billion medical tower for bureaucrats
Publish Date : 1/25/2007 8:02:00 AM
Medical and health services in Pakistan capital Islamabad are set to receive a major boost with the federal government giving the green signal for the construction of a 14-floor medical tower....
Coffee may ease muscle pain
Publish Date : 1/19/2007 10:07:00 AM
Drinking two cups of coffee before exercise may reduce post-workout muscle pain by over 50 percent - more relief than a pain reliever medicine like aspirin can provide, says a study.
Oath to spread AIDS awareness message in 14 districts
Publish Date : 1/19/2007 9:21:00 AM
As part of transgenders day celebrations in Tamil Nadu today, over 100 transgenders took an oath to spread the AIDS awareness message 'with full vigour' for a week in 14 districts of the state.
HIV patients more prone to excessive dandruff
Publish Date : 1/17/2007 9:11:00 AM
HIV-positive people are 10 times more prone to excessive dandruff and it could be treated as an early sign of the disease, a British expert said here Tuesday.
Anthrax kills one, affects 23 in Orissa
Publish Date : 6/16/2005 6:02:00 AM
Anthrax has killed an elderly woman and affected 23 people in Orissa's southern district of Koraput in the past three days, officials said Wednesday.
Malaria parasite could become resistant to new drug
Publish Date : 6/16/2005 5:08:00 AM
Malaria could easily become resistant to the latest and most effective drugs against the parasite, a research team headed by an Indian has warned here.
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