A new research conducted by the University of Birmingham, UK, has shown that the effects on the brain of oxytocin, the so- called "love hormone", has striking similarities with those of alcohol.

The two compounds are obviously different, but according to the researchers "They appear to target different receptors within the brain, but cause common actions".

When administered nasally, oxytocin appears to closely mirror the well-established effects of alcohol consumption. However the researchers warn against self-medicating with either the hormone or a swift drink to provide a little more confidence in difficult moments.

Alongside the health concerns that accompany frequent alcohol consumption, there are less desirable socio-cognitive effects that both alcohol and oxytocin can facilitate. People can become more aggressive, more boastful, envious of those they consider to be their competitors. The compounds can affect our sense of fear which normally acts to protect us from getting into trouble and we often hear of people taking risks that they otherwise wouldn’t.