undefined | Better HN

0 pointsPragmaticPulp6y ago0 comments

Be careful: There are multiple classes of blood pressure medications with different mechanisms of action.

You're referring to beta blockers, which can reduce the stress response in your sympathetic nervous system.

> Literally the medicine is well known for making you perfectly calm.

> You know that magic pill that can get rid of your approach anxiety? I hear, this is it,

They're not magic. They won't make you perfectly calm and they won't magically rid you of different types of anxiety. Beta blockers are used in mild cases to help tip the scales toward calm, but they won't cure major anxiety or make you superhumanly calm.

Like any medication, it's best used as a combination treatment approach with therapy and other interventions. As always, refer to a doctor for a proper treatment plan, never try to self medicate with prescription medications.

0 comments

GordonS6y ago

I know someone who suffers from anxiety and takes propranolol. She says it helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g. racing heart), but doesn't help prevent anxiety in the first place. Still, she finds this somewhat useful, as feeling physical symptoms of anxiety can cause a sort of feedback loop, where it leads to more anxiety.

So yes, while beta blockers can help, they are no panacea.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

GordonS6y ago

So yes, while beta blockers can help, they are no panacea.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse