Because empathy regulates prosocial and antisocial behavior, these drug-induced reductions in empathy raise concerns about the broader social side effects of acetaminophen, which is taken by almost a quarter of adults in the United States each week.

Nevertheless, while Stoicism in philosophy captures a rich belief system, stoic ideology (which is often shortened to Stoicism) in psychology describes a naive ideology held by individuals which centers around emotional non-reactivity and non-expression. In contrast to a thoughtful engagement with negative thoughts and cultivating moral ideals in one’s life, this naïve ideology uses the term stoicism to focus on a more narrowly defined suppression of emotional content.

Given the findings of negative relationships between both aspects of well-being and the Taciturnity and Serenity facets in particular, individuals might be encouraged to share personal problems in appropriate ways and to acknowledge emotions, rather than suppressing or ignoring emotional experiences. Our study also supports previous notions that it might be beneficial for individuals’ well-being to engage in practices that foster an accepting or non-judgmental stance to their emotions, for example mindfulness practices, rather than suppressing their emotions.