xanax for presentation reddit

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• The Attorney General
• Organizational Chart
• Budget & Performance
• Privacy Program
• Press Releases
• Photo Galleries
• Guidance Documents
• Publications
• Information for Victims in Large Cases
• Justice Manual
• Business and Contracts
• Why Justice ?
• DOJ Vacancies
• Legal Careers at DOJ

Bucks County Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Counterfeit Opioid Pills Online

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Robert Davis, 36, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Court Judge John Frank Murphy on three counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods.

The defendant was charged in a superseding indictment on May 9, 2023, with selling counterfeit opioid pills through his website, rcproppill, advertising the fake pills for use as props in films or music videos, from in or about 2015 through August 2019. The counterfeits contained no controlled substances, but mimicked the trademarks of certain opioid pills.

The defendant made fake pills with the unique drug markings and trademarks of various frequently-abused opioid pills, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. The defendant’s buyers made regular and repeat buys, consistent with using the counterfeits in drug dealing rather than in films or videos.

Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, and on each count, faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Diviny.

[email protected] 215-861-8300

Related Content

Psychology and Mental Health Forum

Skip to content

• Home ‹ Board index ‹ Therapy & Coping ‹ Medication ‹ Anti-Anxiety
• Change font size

Xanax for presentation

Advertisement.

Return to Anti-Anxiety

• Related articles Replies Views Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

• Contact • Advertise on Psychforums • The team • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election results
• Google trends
• AP & Elections
• U.S. Open Tennis
• Paralympic Games
• College football
• Auto Racing
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

5 members of burglary ring accused of targeting rural Iowa and Nebraska pharmacies, authorities say

• Copy Link copied

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Five members of an alleged burglary ring are facing federal charges for break-ins that targeted rural pharmacies in western Iowa and western Nebraska in 2022 and 2023, authorities announced Thursday.

The Omaha, Nebraska, field division of the Drug Enforcement Administration alleged that the five are part of a larger conspiracy that’s being prosecuted by federal authorities in Arkansas. The agency said 42 people from Houston, Texas, are charged with breaking into more than 200 pharmacies across 31 states and stealing an estimated $12 million worth of controlled substances.

The stolen drugs — including hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall and Xanax — were taken to Houston and sold illegally, the DEA said.

“These five individuals mistakenly thought that targeting rural communities would provide an opportunity to commit a crime and fade into the wind unrecognized and unaffected,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said in a statement.

The DEA statement said 900 pharmacy burglaries were reported nationwide in 2023, with an estimated loss of 3.8 million doses of controlled substances. Across the agency’s Omaha division — which includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota — 34 pharmacy break-ins have been reported dating back to 2022. Nebraska had the most with 17, while Iowa had 11.

Does Taking Xanax Help Before a Presentation? Is it Safe!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

You might have heard that taking Xanax is an effective way to reduce anxiety before a presentation. However, you might also be wondering if it is safe to take or whether it will even work for you!

Xanax resolves the chemical imbalances in the brain which can make giving a presentation less stressful. It is an effective drug designed to reduce the effects of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and panic attacks. However, there are a number of side effects, including addiction, which should be considered.

You should always consult a doctor before using Xanax or any other Benzodiazepines. However, here’s a brief guide to help you understand how they can help, along with their associated risks.

What is Xanax?

Xanax is a drug used to help in suppressing the nervousness and anxiousness caused by a number of social disorders. The name ‘Xanax’ is, in fact, just a brand name for the drug – which is officially called ‘ alprazolam ’, which is a member of the benzodiazepine family.

It is the single most prescribed psychiatric drug in the US; and for many it has been a safe and effective means of overcoming psychological issues from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) through to panic attacks.

Other names for the drug include:

• Blue Footballs

How Does Xanax help to Cope with Stressful Situations?

Simply speaking, Xanax helps by reducing the levels of stress you feel as a result of a given social situation – which might include giving a presentation. This means that for many people they are an effective way of chemically coping with the stresses associated with public speaking.

According to the National Social Anxiety Center , 73% of people in the world experience some form of glossophobia (the fear of public speaking sometimes called SAD). Given this stat, it is no surprise that Xanax is used by professionals the world over to mentally prepare for a stressful presentation.

Xanax is particularly effective, in the case of giving presentations, as it dulls the fear of judgment from others. This is one of the main factors causing stress among people giving presentations. As such, a person giving a presentation on Xanax is more likely to come across as confident and certain about what they are saying.

That said, Xanax will not eliminate all anxious feeling forever. It simply reduces the feelings for the duration in which the drug is taken and only maintains an effect on your body for a short period. This is typically between four and six hours, depending on an individual’s dose and other physiological factors.

How Does Xanax Work?

Xanax works by binding to Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) receptors in your brain. These are neurotransmitters, which are supposed to help regulate the levels of neural excitability – such as nervousness and anxiousness.

Obviously, as with any chemical reaction within our bodies, some people produce more GABA than others. Therefore, those who produce less are more susceptible to stress and anxiety because their body has less capacity to regulate such feelings.

By binding to the GABAs, Xanax slows down the neural activity associated with such negative feelings . This leaves the person who takes them feeling calmer, more relaxed and, in some cases, sleepy.

Xanax is typically prescribed by doctors for a period of 8 weeks , however, most people do not find it hard to have the pills re-prescribed for another cycle after this period comes to an end.

What are the Risks of Using Xanax Frequently?

As with any medical procedure, no matter if it is having an operation or taking a pill (as in the case of Xanax) there will inevitably be an associated risk. After all, you are fundamentally altering your body’s chemical balance, which will have knock-on effects beyond those that you might wish, and which might lead to a negative outcome.

The risks included in taking Xanax are numerous. As a result, you should not take Xanax if you are any of the following:

• Pregnant or Nursing
• Taking Birth Control Pills, Antihistamines, Anticonvulsants or other psychotropic medications.
• Allergic to Benzodiazepines
• Are also taking itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)

It is also very important that you do not drink while you are taking Xanax. This is a particular problem in the world of business, where someone might take a Xanax to give a presentation at a conference and then head to the bar afterwards to network and socialise with colleagues.

Furthermore, as per a research report by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information – U.S National Library of Medicine , it was observed that Xanax has a greater effect on people with Asian heritage than those of other races. Research suggests that they are more likely to ‘feel high’ and experience a spike in blood pressure as a result of taking the drug when compared to their white counterparts.

Therefore, you should consult a doctor before taking Xanax; and you should seek emergency medical help if you notice any adverse effects of taking it.

Side-effects of Xanax

While Xanax can be a safe and useful means of coping with the stresses of daily life for some, it can be the cause of a number of unwanted side-effects. In some cases, these can come as a result of taking too much of the drug, but it is also important to remember that some people react negatively to the drug even if taking the correct dosage.

The most common side effects of taking Xanax is drowsiness . For this reason, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery while you are on the medication. That said, this is one of the less serious side effects caused by Xanax. Especially in circumstances where a user takes an overdose , there can be much more severe, dangerous and long-lasting effects associated with the drug.

For example, an overdose of Xanax can cause; fainting, loss of balance, muscle weakness, slowed heart rate, confusion and, in some cases, it can even induce a coma. 

Can you Get Addicted to Xanax?

Addiction is a serious concern when it comes to the taking of Xanax for simple cases of social anxiety. The American Addiction Center cites an interesting stat captured from the Journal of Addictive Behaviours which estimates that as many as 44% of ‘chronic benzodiazepine’ users become addicted !

One reason for this level of addiction is that the brain becomes accustomed to the relaxed state associated with the drug. If a user returns to a normal level of stress, without access to the drug, this can feel overwhelming. This results in an even greater level of anxiety than was experienced in the first place, and therefore a certain level of dependency on the drug.

Addiction to Xanax does not only come in a psychological sense. Many people who become dependent on the drug develop a physical dependency, which include; shortness of breath, vomiting and seizures. Benzodiazepines, including Xanax, were the primary reason for more than 44,000 visits to the emergency room in US hospitals in 2011.

As mentioned above, taking any drug induces chemical alterations to your body which may have long-lasting negative effects on your body. This is why you should consult a doctor before taking the drug and should explore other, non-chemical alternatives where possible.

Whar are the Alternatives to Xanax?

While the use of Xanax is not problematic for many people, you may wish to eliminate any possibility of severe medical problems by exploring alternatives methods for controlling your anxiety in the lead up to a presentation.

One of the first things to consider is your diet. It might sound convoluted to suggest that what you eat might have a significant impact on your ability to calmly and confidently give a presentation, however, the research suggests that diet might be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress .

Research shows that by simply consuming basic nutrients such as Omega 3 and Vitamin E , you can reduce your blood pressure. This means that blood flows more freely to your brain, which will impact the production of those chemicals which result in a more positive mindset.

What’s more, if you are healthier, you are more likely to feel confident in how you look. Therefore, the combined boost of feeling and looking great will reduce your levels of anxiety when it comes to giving your presentation.

That said, changing your diet could be seen to be a more long-term fix. What if you have a presentation next week? Well, two of the simplest ways to reduce anxiety in the short term is to have a good night’s sleep in the build-up to your presentation.

A lack of sleep can make you more emotionally reactive, more responsive to negative emotion and impulsive – all of which are key reasons for taking Xanax in the first place. Therefore, while it may be a useful drug in dealing with your anxiety, there are a number of alternative methods for achieving the same goal, which do not require you to consume Xanax or any other Benzodiazepine.  

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution.

• Self-Help Shop
• All Anxieties
• Agoraphobia
• Generalized Anxiety
• Public Speaking Fear
• Separation Anxiety
• Social Anxiety
• All Articles
• Popular Blogs

• Treatment & Medications

Social anxiety medication & public speaking anxiety medication

This is not medical advice - talk to a psychiatrist

I am not a psychiatrist or a medical doctor. This is not medical advice and is not a recommendation. 

What are medications that some people use for public speaking and social anxiety?

Because public speaking anxiety is a type of social anxiety, this article covers both. 

Key Take Away A psychiatrist will assess your specific situation and will develop a treatment plan based on your needs.

For public speaking phobia, there are the "take as needed" meds, for example, a combination of Alprazolam and Propranolol. You can take these 30-minutes before the fearful event (you have to plan a little in advance). These meds don't have the more serious potential side-effects of the "take everyday" meds. You may also want to discuss the "take everyday" meds with a psychiatrist, and discuss your specific needs.

Public speaking and social anxiety medications discussed in the presentation

There are two types of public speaking and social anxiety medications. The first type is taken "every day.” The second type is taken "as needed."

1. Take "every day" medications

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Antidepressants

2. Take "as needed" medications

• Beta blockers
• Benzodiazepines ("benzos")

1. "Take every day" medications

Ssri examples (brand and generic names) :.

• Paxil (Paroxetine) • Zoloft (Sertraline) • Effexor (Venlafaxine) • Celexa (Citalopram) • Luvox (Fluvoxamine) • Prozac (Fluoxetine)

MAOI Examples (brand and generic names) :

• Marplan (Isocarboxazid) • Nardil (Phenelzine) • Emsam (Selegiline) - also available as a skin (transdermal) patch • Parnate (Tranylcypromine)

Antidepressant Examples (brand and generic names) :

• Tofranil (imipramine) • Norpramin, Pertofrane and others (desipramine) • Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline) • Elavil (amitriptyline) • Sinequan or Adapin (doxepin) • Anafranil (clomipramine) • Desyrel (trazodone)

Be aware that the “every day” medications (SSRIs, MAOIs, and antidepressants) take several weeks to kick in so you won't see the effect immediately. They also have side effects. So learn about the side effects and talk to your doctor or psychiatrist about what to expect.

Check out these authoritative sites for researching medications and side-effects:

• National Institute of Health (NIH) Medline Plus
• Mayo Clinic

Plan to work with your doctor over a period of weeks (or months) to find the right dose for you. Medications interact with each individual differently. Finding the right dose takes some experimentation including increasing or decreasing the dose, and checking in with your doctor to discuss how the medication is affecting you at a specific dose and adjusting the dose as needed.

It's important to not go off of these medications "cold turkey" otherwise you can expect painful withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will give you a graduated "weaning off" schedule that you'll want to follow carefully.

If you want to avoid the potential side effects of the take "every day" medications, the "take as needed" medications may be a better option. Let's take a look at these now.

2. "Take as needed" medications

A. beta blocker examples (brand and generic names) :.

• Inderal (Propanolol) • Tenormin (Atenolol)

b. Benzo Examples (brand and generic names):

• Klonopin (Clonazepam) • Xanax (Alprazolam) • Valium (Diazepam) • Ativan (Lorazepam) • Centrax (Prazepam) • Dalmane (Flurazepam) • Halcion (Triazolam) • Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) • Paxipam (Halazepam) • Restoril (Temazepam) • Serax (Oxazepam) • Tranxene (Clorazepate)

For public speaking phobia, the advantages of the "take as needed" drugs are:  (1) you can plan for the fearful event at a specific day/time, and (2) they don't have the more serious potential side-effects of the "take everyday" drugs.

The "take as needed" drugs can be taken 30 minutes before a fearful situation like a public speaking event, job interview, date or other fearful situation. If you have persistent anxiety, the take "as needed" drugs may not be a good alternative for you. But if your anxiety is primarily in response to a specific type of event and you know when it will happen, the take "as needed" meds may be a good option.

There are two types of take "as needed" meds: Beta blockers and benzodiazepines ("benzos”). Let’s start with beta blockers.

a. Beta blockers

Why use beta blockers.

• Reduces anxiety symptoms like rapid heart rate • When you have high levels of anxiety, your brain interprets your bodily symptoms as dangerous. This causes more anxiety which increases the symptoms. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle • A beta blocker can “put a monkey wrench” in the cycle by reducing the symptoms • Make sure to combine with new self-talk. Fearful self-talk can overpower the effect of the beta blocker

Side effects

If you have low blood pressure, a beta blocker will bring your blood pressure down further and can make you feel dizzy and sluggish.

b. Benzodiazepines

Why use benzos.

A benzo is like a glass of wine. But be aware that benzos are addictive and habit-forming. You need bigger and bigger doses to have the same effect. So be careful with these. They are highly monitored because of their addictive nature and because they have been over-prescribed. Some primary care physicians doctors don't want to prescribe them and you may need to see a psychiatrist (psychiatrists typically see their patients once a month to monitor meds).

Beta blocker + benzo 30-minutes before anxious event

If you take a beta-blocker and benzo 30-minutes before an event, they can help you manage the anxiety. Combine with the right self-talk and proper exposure techniques, and these can be effective tools in managing your anxiety. Feel free to comment or ask questions in the discussion below.

Another type of med

d-cycloserine is another type of med that is being studied. It may be able to enhance desensitization during exposures. The idea is that it deepens your learning. So if you have good exposures, it can help you learn that the situation is safe. (The down-side is that if you have bad exposures, it will enhance that learning as well.) Read more about d-cycloserine .

AnxietyHub.org was founded by psychologists. It’s a place to get accurate information about anxiety and stress. Some of the links on this site may be affiliate links. AnxietyHub reviews products independently and only links to products that our writers personally use and trust. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same, but AnxietyHub may receive a commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us spread our message!

© Copyright 2022 AnxietyHub. All rights reserved.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Ronda Rousey Apologizes for Reposting Sandy Hook Conspiracy Video

The former U.F.C. star apologized after Reddit users asked her about the video she shared 11 years ago. She called it “the single most regrettable decision of my life.”

By Hank Sanders

The former mixed martial arts superstar and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey apologized on Friday for reposting a video in 2013 that spread conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, calling it “the single most regrettable decision of my life.”

Ms. Rousey, who was one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s biggest stars, explained in her apology that she “watched a Sandy Hook conspiracy video and reposted it on twitter.”

Ms. Rousey said the news media never asked her about the post, which has since been deleted. She said she considered apologizing for it many times, including in her memoir, but worried that doing so might “lead more people down the black hole” of conspiracies.

“I deserve to be hated, labeled, detested, resented and worse for it,” she said in her apology, adding, “I apologize that this came 11 years too late.”

Ms. Rousey’s apology came days after she hosted a Q. and A. session on Reddit .

A user asked her if she should apologize for “sharing a video that you called ‘must-watch’ and ‘interesting’ that had claimed the Sandy Hook School Massacre was part of a government conspiracy.” Other users also asked about her old post.

On Dec. 14, 2012, a 20-year-old man armed with semiautomatic pistols and a semiautomatic rifle walked into the school in Newtown, Conn., and killed 26 people, 20 of them children .

In the years since, false conspiracy theories about the event have proliferated on the internet.

In 2018, relatives of Sandy Hook victims sued Alex Jones, a media personality who spread conspiracy theories about the shooting through his company Infowars, for defamation. They were awarded more than $1.4 billion in damages , though what the families might receive is unclear as further legal battles drag on.

In a post dated Jan. 15, 2013, Ms. Rousey wrote, “ asking questions and doing research is more patriotic than blindly accepting what you’re told,” apparently in response to backlash she received about the video she had shared, according to a 2013 article on Bleacher Report , a sports news website.

A 2013 analysis in The Huffington Post said the video, which appears to have been removed from YouTube, made a variety of false claims, including that some of the people in the school were paid actors.

A lawyer and agents representing Ms. Rousey did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.

Her apology has been viewed more than seven million times, and has received more than 2,000 comments, many of which appear to be supportive.

In 2018, Ms. Rousey became the first woman to be inducted into the U.F.C. Hall of Fame. She also won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics in middleweight judo and for years was one of the biggest stars for WWE.

Hank Sanders is a Times reporter and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Hank Sanders

• Informational Brochure
• 2023 Annual Report
• Support the Alliance’s Mission
• Join the Alliance
• Programs Overview
• Reform Initiatives
• Alliance Affiliated Books
• Sponsored Scientific Research
• Educating Prescribers
• Regulatory Reform
• BZD Reform History
• Lessons from the Opioids and Fluoroquinolones
• What You Can Do
• Patients Overview
• Patient Tools
• 4 Steps to Understanding BZDs: A Guide to the Site
• Are You Dependent or Withdrawing?
• Basic Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Q&A
• Reducing Symptoms
• What Are Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs?
• Benzo Comparison
• The Z-Drugs
• How They Work
• Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BZWS)
• Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND)
• Benzodiazepines and Other Drugs
• Benzo-wise Practitioners: Speaking with your Medical Provider
• Treatment Centers for Benzodiazepines (“Rehab”)
• Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Support Groups
• Books on Benzodiazepines
• A Word About Recovery
• Benzos in the Media
• Prescribers Overview
• BZs, Z-Drugs Cost/Benefit and Medical Decision-Making
• Prescription Guidelines
• On and Off Label Uses
• Dependence and Withdrawal
• Neuropharmacology
• Communicating about BZRAs

Comparison of Benzodiazepine Pharmacology

• Specific Benzodiazepine Receptors
• Benzodiazepine Pharmacokinetics
• Effective Use
• Longer Term Use vs CBT
• Anxiety and Panic Studies
• Off-Label Use Efficacy
• Overview of the Problems
• BZRAs Are Ineffective Over Time
• Physiological Dependence and Addiction
• BZWS Symptoms
• Benzodiazepine-Induced or Increased Symptoms
• Side Effects of Benzos and Z-Drugs
• Interactions with Benzodiazepines or Z-Drugs, and Other Drugs
• Fluoroquinolone Sensitization
• The Language of Harmful Use
• The Cost of Dependence
• It’s Usually Not Addiction
• Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome
• Encouraging a Patient to Withdraw
• Managing Withdrawal
• Patient Vernacular:  Windows and Waves
• Benzodiazepine Injury Syndrome and Recovery
• Limited Essential Use
• Anxiolysis Alternatives
• Professional Alternatives to BZRAs
• Pharmacologic Alternatives to BZRAs
• Alternatives for Insomnia Relief
• Alternative Muscle Relaxants
• CME Course Schedule
• University of Arizona Symposium
• Presentations From The International Benzodiazepine Symposium
• Other Symposia
• Educational Media
• CO Benzo Action Workgroup
• Resources Overview
• Terminology
• BZD and Z-Drug FDA labels
• Symposia & Educational Material
• Improve this Information

*Half-life is the time it takes for your body to metabolize half of the drug, and includes active metabolites (e.g., oxazepam is a metabolite of diazepam).

**  Comparative Oral Dose:  Since there is no standard, equivalencies vary between the sources. This table was compiled from the two sources shown in the table, and was checked against four others. [2,3,4,5]

*** Accumulates 23-fold over 2 weeks

Note that there is a variety of half-lives and potencies. The time for “onset of action” is how long it takes for you to feel the drug’s effects. “Half-life” is a measure of how long it takes until half of the drug becomes inactivated. Since several of the benzos are metabolized into other benzos, to understand the full impact of a benzo, you must include its active (benzo-like) metabolites, as this table does. Some metabolites have no or limited benzo-like activity, though they may have other effects, including adverse effects. A complete list of benzos, along with pharmacokinetic properties, can be found  here .

Benzo dosages vary widely. As you can see from the table, taking a “low dose” is meaningless unless you are using a comparative scale, such as the one in the table. For example, according to Ashton, Xanax is 20 times more powerful than Valium, and clonazepam is 60 times more powerful than temazepam. Using the modern ClinCalc ranged data, Xanax is 5-20 times stronger than Valium, and clonazepam is 1.25-80 times more powerful than temazepam.

Related Posts

Asam guidelines public comment.

• by Alliance Staff
• Uncategorized
• July 5, 2024 July 9, 2024

Now is your chance to make your voice heard! The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has opened the period for public comment on the…  Read More » ASAM Guidelines Public Comment

• February 28, 2024 February 28, 2024

Director of Development and Business (Posted 2/26/24) The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices is seeking to add our first Director ofDevelopment and Business to our…  Read More » Jobs

• February 22, 2024 February 22, 2024

Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Benzodiazepines: A Closer Look at Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND)There is a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant: Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction, or…  Read More » BIND Facts

Can This Drug Cure Performance Anxiety?

Beta-blockers, used primarily as a treatment for heart disease, may help calm the nerves of anxious orators.

When we think about performance-enhancing drugs, our minds immediately turn to famous athletes using banned substances to build muscles and heal faster. Lance Armstrong, Mark McGwire, Marion Jones—the list of athletes whose legacies are tainted by alleged (or, in some cases, admitted) drug use seems to grow longer every year.

But athletes aren’t the only ones ingesting pharmaceuticals to do their work better.

For people whose jobs require public speaking or presentations, a class of drugs called beta-blockers can be a powerful tool to calm the nerves and reduce the jitters that detract from performance.

Beta-blockers were discovered by Scottish pharmacologist James Black in 1962 as a treatment for heart disease. The chemicals work by inhibiting the body’s response to adrenaline, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart attack. By the 1970s, doctors had begun using them to reduce performance anxiety, particularly in musicians. However, that remains a secondary use; beta-blockers are still used primarily to improve people’s circulatory systems. For his work, Black won the Nobel Prize, and upon his death in 2010, The New York Times credited him with “extending the lives of millions of people.”

I began hearing about their usefulness in public speaking from writer friends who found themselves anxious on book tours. “All of my bad things that usually happened when I’d speak—the sweating, the fast breathing—didn’t happen,” one best-selling author told me after trying the pills. “I don’t know if it’s psychosomatic or not, but the pills just tamp down all of the physical sensations.”

Another friend looks at beta-blockers as an insurance policy. He doesn’t think of himself as a nervous speaker, but occasionally he’ll suffer feelings of panic at the podium. “Beta-blockers just subtract the possibility that your body is going to rebel against you,” he says. “The medicine helps immeasurably, and I’ve become an evangelist for it. It’s improved my career by making me a more confident public speaker.”

So when I began working on a book about how people get psyched up to perform better at work, I decided to give beta-blockers a try.

On a winter evening, I’m sitting in the crowded waiting room of a medical office. I’m here to see a certified nurse specialist, to try to get a prescription for propranolol , the generic beta-blocker my friends have been using.

In her office, the nurse taps on an iPad, asking for my biographical information—name, address, employer, insurance.

She asks about my emotional well-being and professional life. I tell her that I spend most days writing and editing, but that my job does require occasional public speaking. In my last job, my employer asked me to make periodic appearances on television; although these opportunities have waned since I changed jobs, I still go on camera every once in a while. When I do, I experience the classic markers of performance anxiety : the dry mouth, the tight throat, and the rapid heartbeat. When my kids have seen me on TV, they’ve teased me about compulsive blinking. I tell the nurse about my friends who take beta-blockers before speeches. “They say it takes the physical signs of nervousness off the table, and it’s made a big difference in their careers,” I say.

The nurse nods approvingly. She’s had patients who’ve had great results with propranolol. In fact, she suddenly scowls and looks annoyed. Earlier that morning, she’d seen a patient who was distressed because she’d become extremely nervous during a job interview. In retrospect, the nurse says she wishes she’d recommended propranolol, and she makes a note to call the patient after I leave to discuss it. After a few more minutes of conversation, she electronically sends the prescription to CVS, where I pay a $7 co-pay for 30 tablets of propranolol, renewable three times.

A few weeks later, I’m scheduled to fly to California to moderate a panel discussion in front of an audience of 75 people. It’s a chance to try out my new pills, and I’m excited—but I inadvertently leave the bottle in my car at the airport. At the conference, I’m well prepared and not particularly nervous; I lead the discussion drug-free without a hitch.

While I wait for more chances to try the drug, a friend texts me in a panic. He’s recently taken a new job, and the next morning he has to make a one-on-one presentation to his firm’s CEO. He cuts to the chase. “You know those pills you were telling me about for performance anxiety? Can I grab some from you before I get on the plane?”

I say no, fearing it would be illegal to share them. He pressures me. I come up with a compromise. “Okay, I’ll drop some pills off late tonight,” I tell him. Then I drive to CVS, buy a bottle of vitamin B12, and leave five tablets in an envelope taped to his door. I text him careful instructions: Take one pill 90 minutes before the presentation, and another 15 minutes beforehand if he still feels nervous.

Later, he texts me from the plane: “What is this medication called?” “Propranolol,” I lie. He googles it and starts reading online reviews. “Wow, people really rave about this stuff,” he says.

After the meeting, I text him: “How did it go?” “Really well,” he replies. “Those pills are magic.”

My friend’s experience illustrates how hard it is to know how well these drugs really work: Because we want them to work, the odds of a placebo effect is high—and because the pills’ effect is signified by the absence of something, it’s difficult to know if the pills really kept you from feeling nervous. It’s similar to the flu vaccine: If you get the shot, and you don’t get the flu that year, can you say for certain that the immunization prevented the illness?

Placebo or not, I notice an effect when I start trying them. Although I don’t have any other public speaking opportunities in the weeks after I obtain the prescription, I take the pills a few times before important interviews at work. I tend not to get nervous during interviews ... except, occasionally and unpredictably, I’ll start sweating. I remain sweat-free while on beta-blockers, with no rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing—though it’s hard to say how much to credit the drug for that.

The beta-blockers have a more noticeable effect in an unlikely setting: a two-day, 20-man annual golf tournament I play in with friends each year. I’m the worst golfer in the group, but on the first day, I play poorly even by my low standards. The next morning, on the driving range, I pop a propranolol. On the first tee, I’m unusually calm. (There’s a reason the PGA bans players from taking beta-blockers.) I still post the day’s poorest score, but I play far better than I usually do. The lack of nervousness is especially noticeable on tee shots and important putts—and with my handicap giving me strokes against my opponents, I keep my match competitive until the 16th hole. By then the drugs have worn off, and as I stand over a putt, I feel the familiar jitteriness—one I hadn’t felt that morning. Nonetheless, even my opponents notice the difference. “Dan played out of his mind today,” one announced over drinks at the clubhouse after the round.

I can only hope the pills work that well at my next public speaking opportunity.

This article is adapted from McGinn’s recent book, Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed .

About the Author

Drugs for public speaking fear: Should I take Beta Blockers?

Beta blockers are a class of drugs for anxiety that block the action of adrenaline in the body. Therefore the physical symptoms of the stress response   are reduced. I’m often asked if they should they used for public speaking fear?

Firstly, beta blockers are not officially drugs for anxiety, but cardiac medications . However, by reducing some of the symptoms associated with public speaking anxiety, like the ‘shakes’, the idea is that they can help you concentrate on the task at hand.

For example, since they can lower heart rate, beta blockers have been used by Olympic marksmen to provide more aiming time between heartbeats. Some musicians use beta blockers to reduce the adrenaline-driven shaking  during auditions and performances. And it’s rumored that many politicians use them for important speeches.

The 3 questions are:

• Do they really work?
• Are they safe?
• What’s the best way to manage public speaking anxiety?

1. Do they really work?

What can they do.

Nobel prize-winning scientist, James Black , invented beta-blocker drugs to block the effect of adrenaline on the heart. So beta-blockers can reduce the adrenaline-related physical symptoms associated with the stress response. Some scientific studies show that beta blockers significantly reduce symptoms like shaking hands that can hinder some musicians playing. Those in the studies said they felt better about their performance after taking beta blockers, and music critics consistently judged their performances to be better.

One of my clients – a senior manager in the entertainment industry – has used beta blockers for important presentations with no side effects. He said the physical symptoms he usually felt (heart racing and shaking of hands) made him spend too much time thinking about the nerves and how to control them. So he was more formal and stuck closer to ‘script’.

With the beta blockers reducing those symptoms, he felt free to be more conversational and expansive. So, he found the experience positive, however…

What can’t they do?

… he pointed out that they are useless if you’re not prepared . Public speaking fear is built on uncertainty – and if you feel uncertain about your preparation, your anxiety will increase. Some of the work we did together focused on message and structure which provides a foundation of clarity – as well as providing a ‘roadmap’ for the delivery of a speech or presentation. If you’re standing there thinking ‘I’m not sure what my point is here’, they won’t improve things.

Beta blockers can’t help anxiety of a purely psychological nature. If your public speaking anxiety shows itself mainly in psychological ways (e.g. general uncertainty or negative inner voices), beta blockers will not help you.

Reduced energy levels

Another thing to consider is that many people feel adrenalin helps them focus, giving them an edge that adds intensity to the performance. Australian actress Cate Blanchett has said, ‘a little bit of fear keeps one on one’s toes’.

When I was 19 and playing football semi-professionally, I saw a specialist about the migraine headaches I would get after each match.‘Post exertional headaches are a documented condition’, he said. I remember feeling a wave of relief that modern medicine understood my pain and would have a cure. He placed a vial of pills on the table.

‘These are drugs to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, which should therefore reduce your headaches.’ ‘But won’t that reduce my energy and physical performance on the field – the same effect as me not exerting myself as much?’

‘Well, yes.’

I didn’t use them.

2. Are they safe?

Beta blockers are prescription medications for good reason. There’s a fairly long list of side effects , including:

Rash, anaphylactic shock (sudden unconsciousness or death), cold extremities, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, headache, depression, sleep disturbances, nightmares, hallucinations, short term memory loss, high or low blood sugar, stomach ache, flatulence, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, impotence or decreased libido, difficulty urinating, bronchospasm, cough, wheezes, naal stuffiness, joint pain, and muscle cramps.

Although this is an exhaustive list, many performers who take beta blockers in small doses and or special occasions have found no side effects at all from their use.

The positive view…

According to a 2004 New York Times article, the editor of the Harvard Medical Letter, Michael Craig Miller, thinks there is little risk in taking them because they only affect physical, not cognitive anxiety. “Stage fright is a very specific and time-limited type of problem. There’s very little downside except whatever number you do on yourself about taking the drugs” he said.

The cautionary view…

An opposing view can be found in the comments left by musicians at www.hornplayer.net :

• “A common side effect is loss of concentration, and my playing rapidly went downhill because of this… I ended up sounding as if I were sight reading. As soon as I figured out the connection, I quit the pills for good; I never really needed them, anyway.”
• “…in performance, I had 3 quite severe panic attacks, something I never had experienced prior to that year or since. If you ever read any of the books on prescription drugs, a caution often added is that certain drugs may produce the opposite effect from that intended, so – be careful and check it out, as it’s a very individual thing.”

3. What’s the best way to manage public speaking anxiety?

The real objective when speaking in public is to think clearly – and speak clearly. So a better question than ‘are drugs good’ is ‘what’s the best way to mange stage fright?’

Many people believe they can’t think clearly because the physical symptoms are overloading your system. The irony is that the intensity of your physical symptoms is a result  of not thinking clearly.

Half of the physical symptoms are due to the initial stress response, while the other half are the result of the way you think about the situation .

The physical symptoms are real, but their  intensity  is directly related to the way you process them. For example, if you believe that your shaking hand (a minor symptom of the adrenaline released to give you energy for your speaking event) means that you are ‘losing control of your body!’, all your physical symptoms will increase with the drama of that thought . In other words, the stress response increases when we perceive a threat to our safety.

So symptoms can be reduced if we come to the conclusion that there is no real threat . So, when you know WHAT to do and HOW to do it (tip: natural style), your mind is efficiently directed and speaking anxiety is manageable.

Now, it’s possible that one drug-induced positive experience will help you come to that conclusion. But there are some risks associated with that path.

You could also learn the Vivid Method which demystifies public speaking anxiety and shows you how to redirect your attention to stay in control.

You see, nerves are okay. They’re manageable. They’re a useful signal. If you rely on medication you are saying your nerves are out of your control, treating your body as the enemy and the signals as a demon to be exorcized.

This fight or flight response (and your public speaking fear) can be minimised when we understand what’s going on and realise it’s something we can influence – something we can manage. —– If you’d like to develop your presentation skills, consider:

• Presentation Skills Training
• Presentation Skills public course
• Message Development Sessions

Want to be a great speaker? Get the kindle ebook from amazon.com:  What’s Your Message? Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

You're reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool's Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Nvidia's Big Day Is Here: What to Expect When the AI Giant Reports After the Bell

• The maker of chips for AI development will release its latest results after the closing bell today.
• Wall Street expects another bout of triple-digit percentage growth in revenue, led by the data center.
• Results will be key in determining the direction of its stock, which has soared since the start of 2023.
• Motley Fool Issues Rare “All In” Buy Alert

NASDAQ: NVDA

Investors are about to get a fresh look at Nvidia's artificial intelligence chip sales.

Nvidia ( NVDA -6.39% ) is at the epicenter of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. It designs the most powerful data center chips for AI development, and demand continues to outstrip supply which is driving a surge in the company's revenue and earnings.

After the closing bell today -- at around 5:00pm Eastern Time and 2:00pm Pacific -- Nvidia will release its financial results for its fiscal 2025's second quarter (ended July 31). The report will give investors a fresh look at the chip giant's sales, and what it expects for the rest of this year.

Here's what you need to know!

Image source: Nvidia.

Wall Street expects another blowout revenue number

Nvidia's official guidance points to $28 billion in total revenue for Q2, representing 107% growth compared to the year-ago period. That might be conservative, though, because Wall Street's consensus estimate has steadily climbed over the last couple of months and currently stands at $28.7 billion (according to LSEG).

Considering Nvidia delivered $26 billion in revenue during the first quarter (ended April 28), which was a whopping $2 billion more than the company had originally forecast, it's no surprise that analysts think a beat is in the cards for Q2.

The data center segment accounted for $22.6 billion of Nvidia's total Q1 revenue. All eyes will be on that number in the Q2 report because Nvidia's graphics processors ( GPU s) for the data center are critical to AI development . According to Wall Street, it could come in somewhere between $24.5 billion and $25.2 billion -- any result above the high end of that range will likely spark a fresh wave of enthusiasm in Nvidia stock.

Tech giants like Microsoft , Alphabet , and Meta Platforms (to name a few) have each committed to spending tens of billions of dollars on AI data center infrastructure this year, and a significant amount of that money will flow directly to Nvidia through GPU sales.

That includes sales of the H100 GPU which set the benchmark for the industry last year, and the more recent H200 which can perform AI inference at twice the pace of its predecessor. But there's also an entirely new generation of chips on the way.

Expect an update on Nvidia's new Blackwell chips

Earlier this year, Nvidia announced a new GPU architecture called Blackwell. It's designed to accommodate trillion-parameter large language models (LLMs) which, until now, have only been developed by leading AI companies like OpenAI .

Blackwell-based GPUs will be capable of substantially higher performance relative to their predecessors, and Nvidia says they will also be significantly more energy efficient.  For example, the new DGX B200 system combines eight Blackwell B200 GPUs and can  train AI models three times faster, performing AI inference 15 times faster, than the older DGX H100 system.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says B200 GPUs will be priced at around $30,000 to $40,000, which is in the ballpark of what many customers paid for their H100 GPUs. In other words, given the substantial performance benefits, Blackwell will make it far more cost-efficient for businesses to access and deploy the most advanced AI models.

According to comments from Huang back in May, Nvidia should have started shipping Blackwell GPUs to customers in Q2, with sales ramping up as the year progresses. However, a recent report by The Information suggests a three-month delay could be due to a technical issue with the next-generation chips.

Nvidia hasn't confirmed those rumored delays, but investors should listen closely for comments on Q2 Blackwell sales and any update to its guidance for the remainder of fiscal 2025. Huang previously said he expects to see "a lot" of Blackwell revenue this year, so any variation to the company's timeline could substantially impact its future financial results.

Here's how Nvidia stock might react

Nvidia stock has soared 765% since the start of 2023, when the AI boom really started ramping up. It's now a $3.1 trillion company, so even a small move in its stock can be worth billions of dollars to its valuation.

While the performance of any stock on a given day is mostly noise, Nvidia reported its Q1 earnings after the bell on May 22, and its stock jumped 9.3% the following day. Remember, the company beat its revenue guidance by $2 billion on that occasion, so it's possible that a similar result this time around could yield a comparable increase in its stock price.

With that said, Nvidia stock is currently trading 7% below its all-time high following a steep market correction earlier this month, and if the company delivers weaker results than expected, its stock could slip into a much deeper drawdown.

However, Nvidia stock appears cheap right now for investors with a multi-year time horizon. Wall Street expects the company to deliver $0.64 in earnings per share in Q2, which will take its trailing 12-month earnings to $2.17. That places the stock at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 58.3.

Although that's almost twice as expensive as the Nasdaq-100 index, which trades at a P/E ratio of 32, the picture appears very different when looking further into the future. Analysts predict Nvidia will generate $3.81 in earnings per share in fiscal 2026, placing the stock at a more reasonable forward P/E ratio of 33.2.

In other words, as long as Nvidia's Q2 report doesn't produce a negative surprise, its stock looks like a good value at the current price for investors who can stay the course for at least the next couple of years.

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

Related Articles

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

• What Is Cinema?

The “Ketamine Queen” and Matthew Perry’s Hollywood

When prosecutors announced charges in connection with the overdose death of Matthew Perry earlier this month, they made sure to highlight the nickname that one defendant had given another. In text messages, Erik Fleming, a drug dealer whose directing and producing career had fizzled by the mid-2010s, described Jasveen Sangha, a 41-year-old woman accused of running a North Hollywood stash house, as the “ketamine queen.” The epithet stuck and captured the noirish spirit of the underworld that came into view in court papers and tabloids.

According to Ashley Conner, a psychologist who works on addiction issues in Santa Monica, Perry’s death fit a pattern that often recurs at the nexus of fame and chemical dependency. “There’s these specific vulnerabilities of having this celebrity status,” she said, “where they might move through life with this trepidation of who they trust. And this often leads to them leaning on an inner circle.”

With the cultural permanence provided to him by Friends, Perry became a magnet for people on the other side of the slippery boundary of Hollywood recognition.

“There’s a two-sided codependency that might occur there,” Conner said, “that does become maladaptive.”

For more than three decades, Kenneth Iwamasa, a 59-year-old personal assistant from Midland, Michigan, has provided administrative help to Hollywood. He worked in various capacities for Doug Chapin, a producer and Perry’s manager. Iwamasa eventually became a live-in caretaker for the actor, and paparazzi caught the pair last year making a shopping trip to the Nike store at The Grove.

As portrayed in court documents, Iwamasa and his four codefendants formed a grim circle around the actor and his well-publicized addictions. He, Fleming, and one doctor have pleaded guilty to various drug-related charges; Sangha and another doctor have pleaded not guilty. In the last weeks of his boss’s life, Iwamasa obtained about $55,000 worth of ketamine for Perry.

“I wonder how much this moron will pay,” one doctor texted the other, according to court documents.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Brooke Mueller, a former actor and the ex-wife of Charlie Sheen, volunteered information to detectives that linked Sangha and Fleming to the case. Like Perry—albeit to a far lesser degree—Mueller has seen her battles with addiction become tabloid fodder.

Fleming has been “a cling-on forever” to Mueller, Courtney Friel, a KTLA anchor and one-time friend of hers, told me.

Fleming’s plea agreement stated that he and Perry were acquainted through a mutual friend, without naming which, and that the month Perry died, the friend told him that Perry was looking for ketamine.

In 1999, Fleming had directed a teenaged Scarlett Johansson in the children’s movie My Brother the Pig . Later, he co-ran a short-lived production company with Sydney Holland, one of the two Sumner Redstone live-in girlfriends involved in a long-running financial and legal dispute with the late media billionaire. And in more recent years, with his filmmaking days behind him, the Hollywood Reporter wrote this week, he became a program director at a Bel-Air rehab center where Mueller’s boyfriend overdosed and died in 2021. (Per the rehab facility’s attorney, Fleming was not present on the premises that day.)

Months before Perry’s death, when authorities searched Sangha’s home in connection with a separate drug case, they found 79 vials of ketamine, about 2,000 grams of Xanax, and a firearm registered to her boyfriend. (She has pleaded not guilty in that case; her mother posted her $100,000 bond in March.)

She has also become a figure of media fascination in recent weeks, thanks in part to the social life that she documented on Instagram . “How on earth did a doctor’s daughter born into a respectable British Sikh family,” the Daily Mail asked last week, “get caught up in the sordid death of one of the most famous TV actors in the world?” She did, by appearances, practice a gaudy maximalism in her tastes, but perhaps not much more so than her peers. The cast of characters around her tended to have their own porous relationships to the entertainment business. Sangha went on vacation in Mexico with Greg Lansky, a French porn director whose work, with his professions of auteurism , has won the praise of Kanye West. Slash’s ex-wife Perla Hudson, posing with Sangha at the beach in July 2021, described her friend as her “Mary” and “truly a gift to all of us.”

Two years earlier, prosecutors claimed, Sangha had sold ketamine to a 33-year-old man who died soon after of an overdose. “The ketamine you sold my brother killed him,” his sister texted her, according to the indictment. “It’s listed as the cause of death.”

Fleming told Iwamasa that Sangha “only deals with high end and celebs,” according to his plea agreement. “If it were not great stuff,” he added, “she’d lose her business.” The following day, he said in his plea agreement, he told Sangha the name of the person to whom he would be selling the ketamine. In subsequent texts, Fleming claimed, Sangha began using a low-hanging byname for the client, referring to him merely as the “well-known character” he portrayed in a television series.

Fleming obtained the vials from Sangha’s home, according to his agreement, and delivered them to Iwamasa. It was in his assistant role, Iwamasa acknowledged in his plea agreement, that he injected Perry with the ketamine that contributed to his death in October.

Sangha has retained lawyers from a firm run by Mark Geragos, known for representing Bill Clinton ’s Whitewater business partner Susan McDougal (as well as the former president’s half-brother Roger Jr. in a 2001 DUI case). He has also taken on a variety of tabloid-ready Hollywood clients, including Winona Ryder after her 2001 shoplifting arrest and Jussie Smollett.

“Just because it’s a tragedy doesn’t mean it’s criminal,” Geragos told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo hours after the charges against his client were announced. “I understand people want to hold people accountable. I get that … But I think they’re going to have a very tough time holding people accountable.”

It was not a completely novel sentiment. There is little sign that Perry was coerced into self-destruction and plenty that he was eagerly presented with opportunity. “I mean, at the end of the day,” a friend of Sangha’s told the Mail, “nobody’s forcing anybody to do drugs.”

More Great Stories From Vanity Fair

Live Updates From the 2024 Venice Film Festival

Inside Nicole Kidman’s New Erotic Drama , Babygirl

September Cover Star Jenna Ortega Is Settling Into Fame

Trump Has Chernobyl-Level Meltdown Over Harris’s DNC Triumph

These Are the Fall 2024 TV Shows That We’ll Be Watching

RFK Jr.’s Whale-Beheading Story Gives RFK Jr.’s Bear-Murder Story a Run for Its Money

From the Archive: Murder at Sutton Place

Staff Writer

Royal watch.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

site categories

Quavo addresses concerning “xanax” tweet taken from “disciples” lyrics.

"I'm okay. It's just y'all gotta listen to my lyrics. Y'all ain't listening to the lyrics."

By Amber Corrine

Amber Corrine

Staff Writer, News

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Pinit
• + additional share options added
• Print this article
• Share this article on Print

Quavo has now addressed a concerning tweet where he repeated lyrics from his Rocket Power single, “ Disciples .” The post in question read, “I kno it’s been some years but now I’m taking Xanz,” leaving many fans worried that the Migos member may have dabbled into the addictive antidepressant .

However, Quavo cleared up his tweet while speaking with VIBE on Wednesday (Aug. 30).

I kno it’s been some years but now I’m taking Xanz. — QuavoYRN (@QuavoStuntin) August 28, 2023

Quavo Concerns Fans By Seemingly Admitting To Drug Relapse

The tweet caused a lot of conversation online on Sunday (Aug. 27), especially after so many rappers have become addicted and even succumbed to the medication and other opioids. Xanax is prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorder, and victims of extreme mental or emotional trauma.

One user responded to Quavo’s tweet with, “I feel ur pain stay up soldier,” as another said, “Damn. I hope this ain’t a cry for help. I hope you alright my g.”

Other fans attempted to draw a parallel between the lyrics and the 2022 death of his nephew and group member Takeoff, né Kirsnick Khari Ball.

Quavo was actually present when a bullet took Takeoff’s life , and has since been coping with the loss through music and more, hence his newest album is named after him. Rocket Power — which has an array of different sounds — released on Aug. 18, nine months after Take’s passing.

The LP peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and boasts the singles, “Greatness,” “Turn Yo Clic Up,” and “Who Wit Me.”

In February, Quavo gave his first public performance since the tragic event at the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards, where he performed the tributing track, “Without You.”

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Vibe Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

News expand news menu.

• Movies & TV
• Entertainment

Music Expand music menu

• Music Premieres

Features Expand features menu

• Digital Covers

Lifestyle Expand lifestyle menu

Get the Reddit app

Discussion and support for sufferers and loved ones with anxiety conditions. Please look over the rules before posting to the subreddit

Does taking Xanax before a presentation help?

Before presentations I am full of terror and feel like throwing up to the point where I can't move freely bc I feel that if I move, I'll throw up. Then my voice quivers to the point where it sounds like I'm crying and it's hard to understand. I have trouble controlling myself. Will Xanax help? Any repercussions?

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

• Celebrity Deaths
• Celebrity Death News

Rapper Enchanting's Cause of Death Revealed After the Gucci Mane Protégée Died at 26

Rapper Gucci Mane confirmed the death of his former artist on June 11

Enchanting/Instagram

Rapper Enchanting ’s cause of death has been revealed.

The rising hip-hop artist, 26, died of toxic effects of oxycodone and benzodiazepines, a spokesperson for the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office confirms to PEOPLE. Her manner of death is listed as accidental.

Benzodiazepines are depressants that can relieve anxiety, and the most common are the prescription drugs Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan and Klonopin, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration .

Her cause of death was first reported by TMZ .

The "Issa Photoshoot" musician reportedly died at a hospital after being taken off of life support. 

Prince Williams/Wireimage

Gucci Mane confirmed the death of his former artist (whose real name was Channing Nicole Larry) via an Instagram post on Tuesday, June 11, writing alongside a photo of her, “So sad to have to say R.I.P to such a great young lady.”

“A true star we gone all miss you Chant @luvenchanting 😢 💔,” the 1017 Records founder (born Radric Delantic Davis), 44, added of his protégée.

A representative from Enchanting’s management team noted that she was suffering from withdrawals around the time of her death and had overdosed, per a statement shared with The Shade Room .

“She came to my house the last four days to get clean,” the rep told the outlet. “She tried her best and I did everything I could to help her, she tried.”  

According to Enchanting's 1017 Records profile , which is still active on the label’s website, she began pursuing music when she was 18 years old after graduating high school. This led to “a little mixtape,” titled Love & Drugs , that “boosted both her career and her passion for music.” 

Per a 2022 interview with Essence , the “No Luv” artist wasn’t always certain music was her calling, though. “I went through a phase of doing absolutely everything. Like, I was a cheerleader, I was into sports at one point,” she recalled of her teen years. “I was doing hair at one point, I tried to do nails.”

However, music eventually stuck for the rapper, who initially had a passion for R&B. “I had a friend, he had a friend that owned a studio, and people knew that I could sing,” Enchanting explained. “I didn’t really start posting me singing ’til like later in high school.”

The late star signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records in 2020, at one point being the only woman there, but left the label after dropping her 2022 project No Luv , per Complex . The album's deluxe version, Luv Scarred/No Luv , released in 2023, was her final full-length release.

In addition to dropping six full-length projects over the course of her career, Enchanting was also featured on HBO's Rap Sh!t season 2 soundtrack , released last fall via Issa Rae 's Raedio imprint.

Related Articles