Study: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Makes You Less Empathetic

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This is a chilling study:  If you or anyone you interact with takes acetaminophen, take notice!  It may affect their behavior towards you.  Yes, you read that right. That’s what new research has discovered.

According to research out of Ohio State University, people who take acetaminophen have an immediate change in their ability to empathize or feel pain. It affects both their perceptions of their own pain and ability to empathize, but also how they perceive other’s pain emotionally and physically (once the drug takes affect).

According to the study, acetaminophen also blunts feeling of positive emotions such as joy!

I wonder how acetaminophen affects our facial expressions then. Could it possibly interfere with our ability to make them, and our ability to read them like Botox does?

It’s scary researchers are just discovering this.

It makes you think twice about taking it, doesn’t it?

I am sure the people who take it, myself included, have no indication there are changes going on. I never sensed a change. Have you?

It hints at just how biological we are.  Change one element by introducing a new chemical, and our mood, behavior, or personality can be effected.  Even how we perceive others can change and we can absolutely be in the dark that it is occurring.

So the next time you see someone pop these little white pills, think about your interactions with that person.  Do you really want to ask for a favor at that time?  Maybe immediately after they pop the pills, but don’t wait an hour!  You may regret it.

Technology Slows Ability To Recognize Emotions

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There is an interesting study done that looked at children and their interactions with digital media. Did you know the more a child is connected, the less skill he has at being able to recognize emotions in others?

As they surmise, you cannot learn about human interaction by watching it on a screen. You have to experience it firsthand.  I agree with that completely.

How much time does your child spend a day, or a week playing video games, using a cell phone, tablet or watching TV?

Check out this article.

Many thanks to MF for the story!

Aware of your heartbeat? If yes, study says YOU can trust your gut!

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Copyright by Vanhookc

Trust your gut, says Nat Geo, if you are aware of your heartbeat. Yes, you read that right.

People who are aware of their heart beats do better when making “gut” assessments, say scientists from the University of Cambridge.

It makes sense, if you think about it.  Your subconscious brain may be picking up on danger signs that you are not consciously aware of, which cause your body to react.  If you are good at catching an escalating heart beat, you are picking up on a subconscious clue from your body.

I can tell you without a doubt, I am very aware of my heart rate and when it climbs, so this makes sense to me.  The simplest things can set mine off–simply watching a video of someone sending subtle threatening red flags to others (where I am in no danger) sends mine racing!

Read more here.

Manipulative and Empathic People Both Good at Reading Others

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* Peta - Golden Mask *

There is new research out that supports something I’ve always believed.  Not only are empathic people good at reading people, but so are manipulative people. 

I have witnessed really skilled manipulators, including psychopaths, read people like a book with chilling ease many times in life, and I’ve come to realize that is how they pick the perfect targets.

The research hypothesizes that people who manipulate pick up on more negative emotions and doubt.

I believe master manipulators pick up on insecurity and doubt as it reveals a critical weakness in a person that will make them likely to fall prey.

In working with law enforcement, I often stress that a suspect may be equally as good or even better at reading the interrogator–to beware!

The best gift we can ever give ourselves in life is honesty in all areas of our lives because it naturally boosts confidence.  If we trust ourselves, we’ll be a lot better at reading others!

Thanks, CJ, for sharing this article with me!

10 Incredible Ways Genes Control Our Lives

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I wonder if there is a lying gene that predisposes people to lying, too?