Lots of celebrities take this common heart drug—but not for what you think

By Julia Ries | Fact-checked by Barbara Bekiesz

Published May 8, 2025

Key Takeaways

Industry Buzz

“By working to slow the overall heart rate and reduce tremors, [these meds] help to bring the body out of flight-or-fight mode pretty quickly." — Kristin Anderson, LCSW, psychotherapist and founder of Madison Square Psychotherapy

Khloe Kardashian shared she’s been taking beta blockers, a class of medications used to treat heart issues like high blood pressure and arrhythmias, to ease her anxiety.^[]

Kardashian is just one of many celebs, including Katy Perry^[] and Whitney Cummings,^[] who’ve opened up about how they’ve used the heart medication off-label for other health issues.

Why these celebs love beta blockers

Beta blockers have been used for anxiety—specifically, performance anxiety—for decades. “Originally designed to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, they help by blocking the effects of adrenaline, reducing physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shaking,” Alyssa Petersel, LCSW, CEO of MyWellbeing, tells MDLinx.

When adrenaline is blocked, the body is able to physically stay calmer, explains Kristin Anderson, LCSW, a psychotherapist and founder of Madison Square Psychotherapy.

Beta blockers aren’t a first-line treatment for anxiety, although they’re increasingly being used for generalized anxiety.

According to Anderson, anxiety is typically treated by challenging and changing anxious thoughts that lead to physical stress and tension in the body. Beta blockers work in a different way. “By working to slow the overall heart rate and reduce tremors, they help to bring the body out of flight-or-fight mode pretty quickly,” says Anderson.

Better than benzos

The reason more people are taking beta blockers instead of traditional anxiety medications like benzodiazepines? “Beta blockers are not addictive and don’t cause sedation,” says Petersel.

Furthermore, people—physicians included—have become more aware about different medication options for anxiety along with the negative side effects that may occur with benzodiazepines. Referring to beta blockers, Anderson says, “Given their generally lower risk profile as compared to some other anti-anxiety medications, it’s not surprising that more people are open to trying them as a way to better manage anxiety.”

That being said, it’s crucial for patients and physicians alike to know when beta blockers are an appropriate solution, and when they are not.

They’re not recommended for people who have a history of low blood pressure, slow heart rate, respiratory conditions like asthma, or certain heart conditions like heart failure, says Petersel. They may lead to unwanted side effects like fatigue, dizziness, or nausea, so it’s crucial for patients to monitor how they react to the drugs.

Finally, beta blockers don’t address the root cause of anxiety. While they may be helpful for someone who struggles with performance anxiety, says Anderson, there are more effective options for patients with generalized anxiety.

In the end, “they work best alongside therapy and other coping strategies rather than as a standalone treatment,” Petersel told MDLinx.