Experts warn against celebrity-led trend of propranolol for anxiety

Health experts warn against using propranolol, a beta blocker, as a celebrity-endorsed quick fix for anxiety. The medication, first approved by the FDA to treat cardiovascular symptoms, has become popular for reducing nerves in high-pressure moments—from first dates to red-carpet events. But clinicians say propranolol offers limited benefit for persistent anxiety or panic disorders and may carry serious risks, including a higher risk of death in some groups.

Propranolol works by dampening the body's response to stress. Medically known as a beta adrenergic blocking agent, it blocks the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline on the beta receptors, which helps reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure and diminish the force of heart contractions. As a result, physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking and heart palpitations can lessen, which can help people feel steadier in the moment. Dr. Amir Khan, an NHS GP, notes the drug can blunt the adrenaline-driven heart response and reduce panic symptoms in the moment.

Celebrities have been name-dropping the pill as the answer to situational anxiety. During his 2024 Golden Globes acceptance speech, Robert Downey Jr. said he had taken a beta blocker before presenting. At red-carpet events this year, Kristen Bell, Rachel Sennott and Natasha Rothwell credited beta-blockers for their relaxed demeanour, following in Downey Jr.'s footsteps. Sennott even urged fans to consider the approach. Experts caution that such anecdotes do not constitute medical guidance and there is no consensus that beta blockers are a universal solution for anxiety.

But research and clinical guidance suggest otherwise. A recent study found that while propranolol may ease physical symptoms, there is limited evidence that it outperforms other anti-anxiety drugs. It is not included in NICE guidance for routine anxiety treatment, though doctors continue to prescribe it for situational anxiety—when a patient expects a trigger or event.

For patients with heart conditions, beta blockers can be lifesaving, but their primary effects can be a double-edged sword. Common side effects include tiredness, dizziness and sleep disturbances, while more serious risks include heart failure, breathing difficulties and allergic reactions. Dr. Khan warned that while these pills are not addictive, taking more than prescribed can be dangerous, and stopping them abruptly after long-term use can cause rebound symptoms. He also noted that long-term beta-blocker use has been associated with higher rates of depression, so caution is advised when anxiety coexists with mood disorders.

It comes as a landmark study has suggested that heart attack patients may be unnecessarily prescribed beta blockers, with some groups showing no reduction in the risk of subsequent heart events and, in certain cases, higher risks. About 60,000 people are prescribed beta blockers each year in the UK, and many remain on the pills for life.

Experts emphasize that beta blockers are not a cure for chronic anxiety and should be used only under medical supervision. They are best considered for short-term, situational anxiety rather than long-term treatment, and patients should consult a clinician to weigh benefits and risks, especially if depression or breathing problems are present.

Health professionals urge caution with celebrity-driven trends. Propranolol can be lifesaving for some heart conditions but is not a universal anxiety remedy, and risks mean it should not be adopted casually or without proper medical oversight.