Acetaminophen (APAP) increases risk taking behaviour

[S-VV]

Effects of acetaminophen on risk taking - PubMed

Acetaminophen, an analgesic and antipyretic available over-the-counter and used in over 600 medicines, is one of the most consumed drugs in the USA. Recent research has suggested that acetaminophen's effects extend to the blunting of negative as well as positive affect. Because affect is a...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acetaminophen, an analgesic and antipyretic available over-the-counter and used in over 600 medicines, is one of the most consumed drugs in the USA. Recent research has suggested that acetaminophen's effects extend to the blunting of negative as well as positive affect. Because affect is a determinant of risk perception and risk taking, we tested the hypothesis that acute acetaminophen consumption (1000 mg) could influence these important judgments and decisions. In three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, healthy young adults completed a laboratory measure of risk taking (Balloon Analog Risk Task) and in Studies 1 and 2 completed self-report measures of risk perception. Across all studies (total n = 545), acetaminophen increased risk-taking behavior. On the more affectively stimulating risk perception measure used in Study 2, acetaminophen reduced self-reported perceived risk and this reduction statistically mediated increased risk-taking behavior. These results indicate that acetaminophen can increase risk taking, which may be due to reductions in risk perceptions, particularly those that are highly affect laden.

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There is evidence that emotional/social pain is processed in similar pathways to physical pain. APAP is analgesic via serotonergic and cannabinoidoergic mechanisms, and is linked with many bad things like asthma, decreased sulphated steroids etc.... It is also synergistic with caffeine and aspirin for pain reduction. Maybe more "peaty"
analgesics are valid options for social anxiety etc...

I wonder if giving APAP to low status animals would increase their place in the hierarchy, or if taking some before going out for the night improves "primary outcomes".