Social Viagra - scientists discover new drug to banish shyness

by LotusFlower | June 22, 2008 at 03:27 pm | 202 views | add comment

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The headline is lurid but inside the story there might be real hope for sufferers of extreme shyness and autism too.

A drug that combats shyness and social awkwardness, dubbed "social Viagra", could be developed after scientists investigated a hormone released by new mothers.
Scientists in the US found that oxytocin, a natural hormone that assists childbirth and helps mothers bond with newborn babies, helps reduce anxiety and calm phobias.

There are also signs it may help people with autism.

Teams in the US, Europe and Asia are now racing to commercialise a drug based on the hormone, which can be produced synthetically.