2025 Beta Blockers Price & Uses: The Trending Anxiety Treatment You Need to Know

Lauren Styx is a Brooklyn-based journalist specializing in mental health, sexual wellness, and patient advocacy. Follow her online @laurenstyx.

If you've ever felt your heart race, palms sweat, or chest tighten during an anxiety episode, you know how desperate the search for relief can be. Recently, beta blockers—a medication originally prescribed for heart issues—have gained attention as a potential anxiety treatment, especially after celebrities like Khloe Kardashian mentioned using them for anxiety relief.

Beta blockers work by blocking adrenaline's effects on your heart, calming both your heart rate and blood vessels. This mechanism helps reduce physical anxiety symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure.

Clinical pharmacist Curtis Alexander, PharmD, who practices in neurology, highlights beta blockers' growing popularity due to their lower side effect profile, reduced dependency risk, and affordability compared to traditional anti-anxiety drugs. Here’s everything you should know.

Beta Blockers and Anxiety: How They Help

Primarily prescribed for irregular heart rhythms and high blood pressure, beta blockers can also effectively manage anxiety’s physical symptoms.

Insights from Dr. Sarah Gupta, MD

"Beta blockers excel at blocking physical anxiety symptoms like racing heart, sweating, and tremors," explains psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Gupta. "For many, easing these physical sensations is enough to control anxiety." Although not FDA-approved specifically for anxiety, beta blockers are commonly used off-label for performance anxiety, stage fright, and social anxiety situations.

Approach to Anxiety Treatment

Psychiatrist Dr. Alex Dimitriu categorizes anxiety symptoms into mental (rumination, worry) and physical (racing heart, shortness of breath). He notes, "Beta blockers and medications like Xanax can serve as temporary patches for physical symptoms, but if frequent use is needed, long-term treatments like SSRIs might be preferable." Beta blockers offer a valuable short-term option for situational anxiety without the dependency risks linked to benzodiazepines.

Pharmacist Curtis Alexander on Beta Blockers

"Having a medication option that lowers dependence risk is beneficial," says Alexander. Research from 2016 supports propranolol, a beta blocker, as comparably effective to benzodiazepines for short-term anxiety relief.

Important Considerations and Risks

Despite benefits, beta blockers carry risks such as low blood pressure and slow heart rate, making them unsuitable for individuals with certain heart conditions. They may worsen asthma symptoms and reduce exercise capacity. Common side effects include fatigue, cold extremities, and weight gain, while rarer effects can involve depression and sleep difficulties. Diabetics should monitor blood sugar closely, as beta blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms.

Is This Treatment Right for You?

If your anxiety manifests mainly through physical symptoms and occurs in short bursts, beta blockers might be a suitable option. Always consult your healthcare provider or mental health professional to evaluate the best treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Explore more trending mental health topics and stay informed with the latest research-backed insights.

1. Mayo Clinic. Beta blockers.
2. Hayhoe B, Lee-Davey J. Tackling benzodiazepine misuse. BMJ. 2018;362:k3208. doi:10.1136/bmj.k3208
3. Steenen SA, et al. Propranolol for anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychopharmacol. 2016;30(2):128-139. doi:10.1177/0269881115612236

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