This past weekend, Robert Downey Jr. did two things: He won Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes for his role in ”Oppenheimer,” and he gave a cheeky public shoutout to a medication: beta blockers.
While the blood pressure medication has been around forever, the actor’s mention of the drug prompted many to realize that beta blockers might also be used for other medical necessities ― particularly anxiety, which Downey Jr. alluded to in his speech. It was reported that Google searches for “what’s a beta blocker” and “beta blockers for anxiety” increased after the Golden Globes aired.
Dr. Mirela Loftus, the medical director at Newport Healthcare in Connecticut, explained that beta blockers are a class of medication that basically impede the effects of adrenaline on a body’s receptors.
“By inhibiting the action of adrenaline, beta blockers help reduce the heart rate, lower blood pressure and decrease the workload on the heart,” she said. “This makes them useful in managing conditions such as hypertension, chest pains and certain cardiovascular disorders.
Even more specifically, there are two types of beta blockers: cardioselective and non-selective. The former targets receptors in the heart while the latter affects both heart sensors and others found across distinct tissues, including the lungs. Each category of drug can be prescribed by a health care professional.
Can beta blockers be used for stress or anxiety?
Beta blockers are sometimes used to manage anxiety. According to Loftus, that’s actually because of their relationship with adrenaline.
“Anxiety often involves an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the common ‘fight of flight’ response,” she said. “Adrenaline is a key player in this response, and it activates beta blockers.”
Basically, high levels of anxiety are linked to increased adrenaline numbers and the beta blockers are able to cancel out the effects of adrenaline, indirectly lowering degrees of stress.
What’s important to note, though, is that the drugs only manage the physical symptoms associated with anxiety and not the psychological ones, Loftus said. Those might include worrying, irritability and intrusive thoughts. Your body might not feel stressed anymore but your mind still will.
What Loftus suggested is the use of the medications as part of a wider psychological treatment, at least if the intention is to take beta blockers to calm your nerves.
“Beta blockers can help a patient participate in therapy as it would create a state of calmness where they can focus on the session rather than their physical symptoms,” she noted.
Are there any risks to taking beta blockers?
No matter the reason behind beta blockers, there are some potential side effects to keep in mind, Loftus said. These include “dizziness, cold hands and feet, a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, constriction of the airways, fatigue and weakness, [and] sleep disturbances.” It’s best to take the medication under the care of physicians so you can reduce these symptoms.
There have been several studies over the years that suggest there may be a link between taking beta blockers and depression. Loftus is quick to dispel any sort of cause-and-effect relationship.
“Historically, it was thought that beta blockers can potentially cause depression,” she said. “But more recent studies have refuted that theory.”
Can beta blockers be taken indefinitely?
Although prescribed as both blood pressure medication and a way to quell levels of anxiety, long-term beta blocker usage seems to completely depend on the reason behind the intake.
According to Loftus, the drugs are often taken for long periods of time as a management strategy to help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. When it comes to chronic anxiety, though, things are different.
“Then, they might be prescribed on a more intermittent basis, particularly for situational anxiety or specific events,” Loftus said.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.