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Could criminals be given a pill to make them more compassionate?
That's the question being asked by a group of scientists who are developing a pill that can artificially produce feelings of kindness.
The drug works by changing the neurochemical balance in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for personality, social behaviour and decision-making.
Scientists say it could also someday help treat mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or addiction.
'Our study shows how studying basic scientific questions about human nature can, in fact, provide important insights into diagnosis and treatment of social dysfunctions,' said Ming Hsu, a co-principal investigator at University of California, Berkeley.
'Our hope is that medications targeting social function may someday be used to treat these disabling conditions,' added Andrew Kayser, a co-principal investigator on the study, at University of California, San Francisco.
originally posted by: Anyafaj
originally posted by: Vasa Croe
Slip one in the to drinks of every world leader and banker and lets see where this goes!
I didn't even think of this idea! I like you Vasa! I say we go with this before we run out of supply!
originally posted by: Char-Lee
a reply to: Anyafaj
I doubt it would be accepted because you are changing the actual personality society seems not willing to do this as that is what eugenics was all about really. I think it could work as I was born with a distaste for hurting anything or anyone I feel others pain as though it were my own, I don't think I could kill unless I was defending someone else.
originally posted by: Kuroodo
I'm confused. Does this make you sense empathy, or does it make you empathetic?
As part of the study, participants on two separate visits received a pill containing either a placebo or tolcapone, a drug that prolongs the effects of dopamine.
Dopamine is a brain chemical associated with reward and motivation in the prefrontal cortex.
Participants then played a simple economic game in which they divided money between themselves and an anonymous recipient.
After receiving tolcapone, participants divided the money with the strangers in a fairer, more egalitarian way than after receiving the placebo.
originally posted by: Blue Shift
Actually, the party drug known as "Ecstasy" was originally called "Empathy," because it did exactly that. Made you feel like you were in compete understanding of everybody else's feelings.
originally posted by: TwoRavens
Or of course there is simply cannabis. But we have kept a plant illegal so that pharmaceutical companies can make a pill. Instead of slipping world leaders a mickey, so to speak, why not just force all of them to 'smoke the peace pipe'? Just put them all in a room with lots of munchies and don't let them out until they agree to stop #ing the little guy over and just pull a 'Rodney' and all get along.
originally posted by: Blue Shift
Actually, the party drug known as "Ecstasy" was originally called "Empathy," because it did exactly that. Made you feel like you were in compete understanding of everybody else's feelings.
Abstract:
While clinical studies have established a link between aggression and ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine [MDMA]), no research has attempted to explore how this link manifests itself in behavioral outcomes. In this research we examine the effects of ecstasy on aggressive and violent behavior in a sample of active users.
. Our results indicate that those with a higher prevalence of lifetime ecstasy use exhibit higher levels of aggressive and violent behavior. However, the effect of lifetime ecstasy use differs by levels of low self-control as a measure of propensity for aggression.