Scientist Ernest Fehr and a Swiss team of his have recently finished a study that concludes that the feeling of trust can be artificially stimulated by the chemical “Oxytoxin”. From the Nature article
Oxytocin is a chemical that is produced naturally in the brain. Its production is triggered by a range of stimuli, including sex and breastfeeding, and it is known to be important in the formation of social ties, such as mating pairs and parent-offspring bonds.
The researchers investigated whether the effects of Oxitoxin can be produced simply by getting people to inhale it rather than stimulating them to produce it.
The answer: yes.
So, I imagine you should start looking forward to seeing some “Social Spray” at the drugstore sometime in the future.
How sorely I need it.
Story VIA FutureFeeder