Propranolol becomes the drug of choice, especially among young women

Women are turning to an increasingly popular drug to calm anxiety and nervousness. The Wall Street Journal reports that propranolol was originally approved by the FDA in 1967 to treat cardiovascular disease, but has now become the “go-to pill for dealing with all sorts of stressful situations,” in no small part because of its popularity among social media influencers. Prescriptions are up 28% in the past five years, especially among young women. The publication notes that several celebrities — including Robert Downey Jr. and Rachel Sennott — have praised the beta blocker in public appearances.