Intranasal oxytocin improved the ability to read others' mental states from eye expressions (Reading the Mind in the Eyes test) in healthy men — enhancing social cognition, not just reducing anxiety.
Key findingIntranasal oxytocin significantly improved performance on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test in healthy men, demonstrating enhanced social cognitio
What the researchers found
Intranasal oxytocin significantly improved performance on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test in healthy men, demonstrating enhanced social cognition and emotional theory of mind — a distinct cognitive effect beyond anxiety reduction.
Why it matters
Relevant for oxytocin, cognitive-enhancement, neuropeptides.
How the study worked
RCT study on oxytocin, cognitive-enhancement.
What this study cannot tell us
See abstract.
How to read the evidence
moderate evidence.
When this study was published
Published in 2007.
The bigger picture
Advances peptide research.
Questions still open
- Further research needed.
- Clinical translation to evaluate.
Common questions
What was studied?
What was found?
Read the original research
Oxytocin improves "mind-reading" in humans.
Biological psychiatry, 61(6), 731-3
Citation
Domes, Gregor; Heinrichs, Markus; Michel, Andre; Berger, Christoph; Herpertz, Sabine C. (2007). Oxytocin improves "mind-reading" in humans.. Biological psychiatry, 61(6), 731-3.