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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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Open Access 14-09-2023 | Stanolone | Original Paper

Alcohol does not influence trust in others or oxytocin, but increases positive affect and risk-taking: a randomized, controlled, within-subject trial

Authors: Leonard P. Wenger, Oliver Hamm, Christiane Mühle, Sabine Hoffmann, Iris Reinhard, Patrick Bach, Johannes Kornhuber, Georg W. Alpers, Falk Kiefer, Tagrid Leménager, Bernd Lenz

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Issue 2/2024

Abstract

Background

Alcohol consumption to facilitate social interaction is an important drinking motive. Here, we tested whether alcohol influences trust in others via modulation of oxytocin and/or androgens. We also aimed at confirming previously shown alcohol effects on positive affect and risk-taking, because of their role in facilitating social interaction.

Methods

This randomized, controlled, within-subject, parallel group, alcohol-challenge experiment investigated the effects of alcohol (versus water, both mixed with orange juice) on perceived trustworthiness via salivary oxytocin (primary and secondary endpoint) as well as testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, positive affect, and risk-taking (additional endpoints). We compared 56 male participants in the alcohol condition (1.07 ± 0.18 per mille blood alcohol concentration) with 20 in the control condition.

Results

The group (alcohol versus control condition) × time (before [versus during] versus after drinking) interactions were not significantly associated with perceived trustworthiness (η² < 0.001) or oxytocin (η² = 0.003). Bayes factors provided also substantial evidence for the absence of these effects (BF₀₁ = 3.65; BF₀₁ = 7.53). The group × time interactions were related to dihydrotestosterone (η² = 0.018 with an increase in the control condition) as well as positive affect and risk-taking (η² = 0.027 and 0.007 with increases in the alcohol condition), but not significantly to testosterone.

Discussion

The results do not verify alcohol effects on perceived trustworthiness or oxytocin in male individuals. However, they indicate that alcohol (versus control) might inhibit an increase in dihydrotestosterone and confirm that alcohol amplifies positive affect and risk-taking. This provides novel mechanistic insight into social facilitation as an alcohol-drinking motive.

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Title: Alcohol does not influence trust in others or oxytocin, but increases positive affect and risk-taking: a randomized, controlled, within-subject trial
Authors: Leonard P. Wenger
Oliver Hamm
Christiane Mühle
Sabine Hoffmann
Iris Reinhard
Patrick Bach
Johannes Kornhuber
Georg W. Alpers
Falk Kiefer
Tagrid Leménager
Bernd Lenz
Publication date: 14-09-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Stanolone
Testosterone
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-023-01676-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Alcohol does not influence trust in others or oxytocin, but increases positive affect and risk-taking: a randomized, controlled, within-subject trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion

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