took the placebo.

"In this case, the participants had the chance to empathize with the suffering of someone who they thought was going through a socially painful experience," explained Way. "Still, those who took acetaminophen showed a reduction in empathy. They weren't as concerned about the rejected person's hurt feelings."

Interestingly, this new study correlated to a 2004 study, which scanned the brains of people experiencing pain as well as when they were thinking about other people feeling similar pain. The results showed activation of the same part of the brain. This might explain why using acetaminophen might reduce the ability to feel the pain of others.

Next, the researchers are turning their attention to Ibuprofen to see if they can make similar findings.

You can read the full study here.

MOST POPULARA Three-Question Quiz To Test Your Rationality

Michael PuettWhy Do People Perform Ritual? It's an Excellent Method of Self-ImprovementYour Birth Date Is Arbitrary � It's Your Biological Age That MattersYour Diet Might Be Causing Anxiety and DepressionDare to Think BiggerSign up to get more stories like this in your inbox

Enter email address *Subscribe

RELATEDFederal_lands_copyHow Much Land the Federal Government Owns Will Surprise YouPainkiller Dependency is a National ProblemAn Art Exhibition About an Art Critic?Solar Energy. An example of how what matters most is Whose Side Are You On, not what makes the most sense.James-fallon-hidden-bgDiscovering One's Hidden Psychopathy, With James Fallon