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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFeeling racist? Blood pressure pill Propranolol may open hearts and minds
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/feeling-racist-blood-pressure-pill-propranolol-may-open-223450211.htmlA commonly prescribed drug used to treat high blood pressure may have the unintended benefit of muting racist thoughts in those who take it.
A new Oxford University research study found that Propranolol, which works to combat high blood pressure, anxiety, migraines, and a number of heart ailments, affects the same part of the central nervous system that regulates subconscious attitudes on race.
"Implicit racial bias can occur even in people with a sincere belief in equality," said Sylvia Terbeck, lead author of the study, which was published in the journal Psychopharmacology. "Given the key role that such implicit attitudes appear to play in discrimination against other ethnic groups, and the widespread use of Propranolol for medical purposes, our findings are also of considerable ethical interest."
Of course, the study is sure to raise concerns both over its validity and whether we should rely on prescription medication to regulate behavior, even for positive outcomes.
gateley
(62,683 posts)The Wielding Truth
(11,415 posts)SharonAnn
(13,778 posts)Walk away
(9,494 posts)"No insurance company coverage for Propranolol! Freedom of religion and racism!"
murielm99
(30,755 posts)I take that stuff. My heart beats too rapidly, and I have a-fib. It helps.
I wasn't a racist to begin with. At least, I hope not.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)Just kidding
3waygeek
(2,034 posts)I have the same issues, plus a bad mitral valve. I've been taking digoxin & sotalol for the afib, and that seems to be working OK. In a month or two, I'll have surgery to repair the mitral valve. At that time, they may do an ablation to isolate the pulmonary veins, which should be a permanent fix for the afib.
murielm99
(30,755 posts)The a-fib seems to be a result of an overactive thyroid. I had the thyroid destroyed, and I take thyroid replacement drugs.
They have shocked my heart back into normal rhythm, but it does not stay. I just live with it. I understand that many people do.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)relates to religions wherein one feels the other is evil and holds bigoted attitudes.
I can hear it now, "I don't want no Propranolol in my blood, give me death, but no Propranolol."
Number23
(24,544 posts)and milk supply to the entire country.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)denbot
(9,901 posts)I am kind of a adrenalin junkie, not so much risky behavior anymore but I do get adrenal rushes from situations. I also have a history of anxiety attacks, and I have been diagnosed with PTSD.
When I take propranolol and it really evens out my emotional responces to stimili. My wife loves it when I take it, I'm pretty mello when I do.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)but I have gone from being a regular responder/poster on Free Republic to Democratic Underground. I also think that Rachel Maddow is the best commentator on television. I started liking her with her Bush countdown clock. I never liked Bush, but I never realized how truly bad he coiuld be.
I started taking Lisinopril about three years ago. It is also a blood pressure medicine. I have to wonder.
I frankly think the Republican party is barking at the moon crazy. The breaking point for me was the anti-science movement and the craziness to think that tax cuts always generate more revenue. They are like parrots when considering solutions. Also the more defense is always better. Finally the unwilingness to look at other countries and see how they may be doing things better.
I still disagree with many things on this board, but we do have common cause in many areas. I tend to look at things from a freedom of the individual and economic sense. Kind of like a Libertarian who realizes that you are just not going to let people starve in the streets and past actions have set in motion forces that are difficult if not impossible to stop.
I guess my movement to what my father in law calls a Robert Taft republican has come about because of the blood pressure medicine.
wilsonbooks
(972 posts)Whatever the cause it is a good effect.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Restores my faith in the medical community. Now they just need to disguise it as a moon pie so they can get the dopey bastards to take it.
intaglio
(8,170 posts)Rush is probably already on it and this is as unprejudiced as he gets. Without it ...