Updated on Sunday, June 22, 2008, 00:00 IST

London, June 22: Feeling shy to go to a party full of strangers? Fret not, for scientists are developing a wonder drug from "love hormome" Oxytocin, which they claim could help banish excessive shyness.

Previous researches have revealed that Oxytocin, also called the "cuddle hormone" which assists childbirth and helps mothers bond with newborn babies, could reduce anxiety as well as ease phobias.

Now, the international scientists in the US, Europe and Australia are racing to develop commercial forms of the hormone in the hope that it will remove the incentive to drink or take harmful drugs to relieve the problem.

"Tests have shown Oxytocin reduces anxiety levels in users. It is a hormone that facilitates social contact between people. What's more, it is a very safe product that does not have any side effects and is not addictive," Prof Paul Zak was quoted by 'The Sunday Times' as saying.

Professor Zak and his colleagues at Claremont Graduate University have tested the hormone on hundreds of patients.

According to them, Oxytocin's main effect is to curb the instincts of wariness and suspicion that cause anxiety. It is produced naturally in the brain and heightens the feelings of intimacy after sexual intercourse, too.

"We've seen that it makes you care about the other person. It also increases your generosity towards that person. That's why (the hormone) facilitates social interaction," Prof Zak was quoted by the British newspaper as saying.

In other recent trials, researchers at Zurich University have managed to ease symptoms of extreme shyness in 120 patients by giving them the hormone treatment half-an-hour before they encountered an awkward situation.

Oxytocin spray has also been successfully trialled at the University of New South Wales while researchers in New York have found it lessened symptoms of autism, which include agitation also.

"Oxytocin does not cure autism, but it does reduce the symptoms. So there is a reduction of anxiety in autistic patients, and the Oxytocin can induce them to do things like make eye contact with other people and look at their faces -- something autistic people find hard to do," Prof Zak said.

Bureau Report