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On Sunday, Robert Downey Jr. won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor for “Oppenheimer,” but it was a throwaway line in his speech that garnered attention on social media:
“Yeah, yeah, I took a beta blocker so this will be a breeze,” he said as he took the stage.
Downey went on to call it a “greatest improvement” award and thanked his wife Susan, who “made it an art of taking me out of my comfort zone.” But it was the beta blocker comment that had people raving about it.
According to the Mayo Clinic, beta blockers are often used to lower blood pressure and regulate heart rhythm. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them specifically to treat anxiety, medical experts say the pills may be an option for people with event-related or performance anxiety such as social phobia or performance anxiety. Just ask Khloe Kardashian! She raved about it too.
Here's everything you need to know about beta blockers:
What are beta blockers and how do they work?
Unlike antidepressants or benzodiazepines like Xanax, beta blockers do not alter a person's brain chemistry. Rather, they are prescription medications that, depending on the type of beta blocker used, temporarily block the body's physiological responses to anxiety, such as increased heart rate, chest tightness, or rapid breathing.
Dr. Sheldon Zablow, a San Diego-based psychiatrist, previously told USA TODAY that beta blockers are best for those who become anxious before certain events, such as an important presentation or an interview.
According to Zablow, beta blockers are “fairly safe” and have few side effects, including fatigue and sexual dysfunction. However, it is recommended to avoid excessive exercise while taking the medication. However, beta blockers can be dangerous and even fatal for people with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), says Dr. Collin Reiff, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health.
Is it safe? Khloé Kardashian says she's taking Kris Jenner's beta blockers.
“Beta-blockers such as propranolol can cause bronchospasm in patients with asthma or COPD,” says Reiff. “It can also mask hypoglycemic episodes, so you need to be especially careful if you have diabetes.”
Zablow explains: “You can take them depending on the situation. If you can predict when you're going to have anxiety and take them beforehand, it can help you get through the experience much more easily.” He points out that they usually work within 10 minutes and take effect for about three hours.
Zablow also warns that beta blockers are only a short-term solution to performance-related anxiety.
“If someone has mild anxiety but it becomes particularly debilitating when standing in front of people or reporters, beta blockers may be all they need. But if someone has more severe anxiety that occurs almost constantly, that would require treatments such as antidepressants.”
The final result? Beta blockers may be suitable for some people, but not for everyone. You should contact your doctor and seek help from a qualified health professional if you need help managing anxiety.
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Contributor: Jenna Ryu