Smells Like Trust

[rejectomorph]

Scientific American: Hormone Elicits Trust in Humans
I find this fascinating, and a bit scary. It could prove helpful, but also seems like something that might easily be abused. I imagine salesmen wearing a cologne made with the stuff, or aerosols being spewed into rooms full of potential marks at those events where they peddle timeshares and the like. It's a brave new biochemical world. But who gets to run it?

Comments

[waning-estrogen.livejournal.com]

yeah. I was reading about that last night. and it's interesting that it's the one that precipitates contractions during labor. that's where I recognized it from. scary, too, yep. new date-rape drug?

[rejectomorph]

I can imagine a whole new industry of synthetic hormone-like products intended to entice or to repel or to intimidate or to counteract the effects of other products. To the pharmaceutical industry, this probably smells like money.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

very interesting indeed!

imagine how much strip clubs would make!

[rejectomorph]

And even the pimpliest pizza-delivery guys could get big tips!

[marseille.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't you like to see their presentation on why the research should have been done? Who paid for the research? And why?
Department stores--or, worse--car dealerships could be scented with the stuff. Or defendants could wear it?! Or politicians, at least at public rallies. Cults and companies alike are probably investing already.
The hormone that starts contractions? Reminds me of the anesthetic that supposedly made you forget the pain--not during, but afterwards.
Everyone is so intent on this one effect, I wonder if there are any interesting but unintended side effects?