Propranolol: A Drug For Anxiety And Migraine

Propranolol is perhaps the most well-known medicine for treating social anxiety. It is a very effective relaxant that helps against tachycardia, general tension and sweating.

This beta-blocker is also prescribed to treat migraines and headaches, and even has the potential to prevent heart problems in people suffering from angina.

At first glance, the drug may seem almost magical. But its mechanisms are based only on a specific aspect: being a beta blocker. Its propane acts as a counterweight to adrenaline and norepinephrine. Therefore, it regulates blood pressure, lowers heart rate and reduces physiological symptoms associated with anxiety.

Propranolol is one of the most common treatments for social phobia and stage fright. Today, however, we know that  some turn to this substance to use it in principle as an “emotional crutch”. When they feel scared, anxious or worried, they turn directly to this medicine.

A few years ago,  The Daily Mail published  an article discussing how propranolol affects our society. Some people use the preparation to  mask emotions instead of dealing with them. They try to numb the physiological reaction caused by these emotions. They must continue to function as usual at all costs, even if the price is their health.

The article discussed the cases of several people. We have, for example, Laura Woodward, 30 years old. She has been taking propranolol since she was a teenager. It has allowed her to deal with anxiety-generating situations: meeting friends, writing tests, driving a car, going to parties, booking appointments, etc.

Dr. Natasha Bijlani – a consulting psychiatrist focusing on mental health at Priory Hospital in London – says that Laura’s example is not an isolated event. There are many people who  seek treatment for symptoms of anxiety without asking about the cause. They do not wonder what they could do to better respond to everyday situations.

Despite the fact that it is not addictive, people become addicted to it anyway, but in a different way. Relaxing and having more control over the body is always positive and beneficial. But it is even more beneficial to understand emotions and minds. Then you can handle any situation.

This drug is effective because it can be used for many different purposes. As we have pointed out, its main function is to disrupt hormones that enable stress or physiological overreactions: adrenaline and norepinephrine.

Most of the characteristics of propranolol focus on the cardiovascular system. By regulating the activities of the sympathetic nervous system, it can reduce heart rate, tremors, sweating and digestive problems. It helps:

• Patients who have experienced angina or heart attack.
• People suffering from migraines or tension headaches, because it is vasodilating.

• Individuals with thyroid problems.
• People with glaucoma (linked to hypertension).

Propranolol is not just a psychotropic drug. Its clinical use goes beyond the psychiatric field, and as we can see from its effects, it is indispensable for people with heart problems. But that does not mean that it has no side effects; we can not take it anyway.

As always, an expert must prescribe and monitor the use of this drug, as propranolol may lead to negative symptomatology if abused. Let’s take a look at these effects:

• Feelings of heat and cold
• Slow heartbeat
• Changes in dreams, especially nightmares
• Cold hands and feet (circulation is poor in the limbs due to the low heart rate)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon: numbness and spasms in the fingers as well as pain and a feeling of heat.

Finally, we must warn you  that this medicine should not be used if you suffer from asthma, hypotension, kidney problems or diabetes. It is best to talk to your doctor.

Propranolol is useful, especially for social anxiety. But let’s not forget that chemistry is only effective in relieving symptoms; it cannot solve the problem. Because we have psychotherapy.