Could fish oil be a new treatment for extreme shyness?
In a trial, people who suffer from the problem, which is also known as social anxiety, are being prescribed Omega 3 oil.
It follows rsearch showing that Omega 3, used for arthritis and heart disease, may also have a beneficial effect on the brain. In the Canadian trial, 50 shy people will get the fish oil daily for nine months. Various tests will be carried out during the trial including how much they blush, a common symptom.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, one in 20 people has some degree of social phobia, with women three times more likely to be affected. It is thought that fish oil may work by boosting levels of brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, which are likely to social anxiety.