Tylenol Causes Risky Behavior

Tylenol use causes risky behavior according to a recent study!

Gambling. Alcoholism. Drug Abuse. Lust.

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and Panadol, is a gateway drug into sin. And it’s being given to children…

Most of us have reached for paracetamol without a second thought. It’s sold over the counter, trusted by millions, and considered one of the “safest” pain relievers. 49,000 tonnes of it is sold in the US every year. That’s 298 tablets per person. But recent research suggests there may be more going on with this drug.

A peer-reviewed study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that paracetamol doesn’t just dull physical pain, it may also dull your sense of fear and caution. Participants who took just a single dose were more likely to take greater risks in both behavioral tests and real-world decision-making scenarios.

• https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/15/7/725/5897711

Researchers at Ohio State University reported that acetaminophen reduced negative emotional responses tied to risky activities like walking alone at night in an unsafe neighborhood or speaking your mind in a tense situation. The pain reliever didn’t just blunt discomfort, it blunted emotional discernment.

• https://news.osu.edu/a-pain-reliever-that-alters.../

What else are you numbing?

This is about more than just a pill. It’s about the hidden costs of convenience in our modern world.

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used drugs globally, yet it’s also one of the leading causes of acute liver failure when overused. And now, we’re learning it may affect our psychological processes in ways that were never considered when it hit the market.

Emerging research is uncovering a surprising side effect that doesn’t show up on the label: it may also dull your ability to feel empathy.

Dr. Dominik Mischkowski, a pain researcher at Ohio University, has been digging into this lesser-known territory. While most studies focus on the physical effects of medication, few examine how common drugs might influence personality, mood, or behavior.

His recent research reveals something shocking… paracetamol doesn’t just reduce pain, it also reduces emotional sensitivity. That’s because it works by quieting brain regions like the insular cortex, which are involved not just in physical discomfort, but also in emotions and social connection.

In one study, participants who took a standard dose of paracetamol were less emotionally responsive when reading uplifting stories about others’ successes. In short, they experienced less positive empathy, which is the ability to feel joy on someone else’s behalf.

This may sound minor, but empathy plays a huge role in healthy relationships, emotional bonding, conflict resolution, and even leadership. It’s foundational to being a compassionate and connected human being. When a painkiller numbs that, even temporarily, it could shape how we interact with those around us in ways we don’t realize that has lasting consequences.

Mischkowski warns that these effects, while short-term, matter. “You wouldn’t drink alcohol before an important conversation,” he says in an interview. “In the same way, it might be wise to avoid painkillers before emotionally sensitive situations.”

The bigger issue here? Most medications are approved based on how they affect the body but not necessarily how they affect your spirit. We are deeply interconnected beings. When one system is numbed, others are disrupted too.

How many other “safe” pharmaceuticals have hidden side effects that only come to light decades later?

• It took over 50 years to publicly acknowledge the severe mental health risks of benzodiazepines.
• Antidepressants are now under scrutiny for long-term biochemical dependency and emotional flattening.
• Pain relievers like Vioxx were pulled from the market after causing over 60,000 deaths, but only after years of damage.

Real, every-day people are often the last to know, and the first to pay the consequences of failed pharmaceuticals.

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). That means our pain, our healing, our choices, they matter. And while pharmaceuticals can be a tool in acute or emergency settings, we should never substitute them for stewardship or take their use lightly.

Here’s 7 natural, God-Given pain relief options

Magnesium (topical or oral): Relaxes muscles and calms the nervous system to relieve tension.

Curcumin (from turmeric): A powerful anti-inflammatory with clinical backing.

https://www.supps.mrvigour.com/products/turmeric

Boswellia serrata: Also known as frankincense. It’s biblical and potent for joint and muscle pain. You can find it combined with curcumin and ginger, another pain reliever, right here:

White Willow Bark: A natural source of salicin, the compound that inspired aspirin. Consume it as a tea.

Castor Oil Packs: Palma Christi - the Palm of Christ. This ancient remedy eases pain, supports lymph flow, and reduces inflammation. Put castor oil directly on lumps, bumps and swellings before bed each night and first thing upon waking.

Avocado Extract: So here’s something most people throw away that’s actually powerful for pain - avocado pits. Soak chopped-up avocado seeds in 91% rubbing alcohol overnight to make a tincture spray that works. Joint pain, neck pain, muscle tension, even spasms… just spray it on and feel the relief. Simple, natural, and surprisingly effective!

Guided Breathwork & Prayer: Lowers cortisol, soothes chronic pain, and aligns body and spirit.

You can learn more about this practice HERE.

Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s safe. Pain is a messenger, not a malfunction. The goal should never be to silence it without first understanding it.

Ask yourself: Is what I’m taking helping me heal, or just numbing what I need to deal with?

Walk in wisdom! It’s time to question the pharmaceutical culture and seek God’s perfect design in healing. There are natural, powerful, time-tested ways to care for your body without handing over your discernment to the “legal” drug dealers.