{"id":97333,"date":"2026-09-10T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=97333"},"modified":"2026-09-10T13:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:30:00","slug":"what-in-the-world-why-some-people-are-taking-anxiety-meds-on-nights-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=97333","title":{"rendered":"What in the World &#8211; Why some people are taking anxiety meds on nights out"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"sw-text-body-copy sw-pt-4 sw-text-secondary\">Available for over a year<\/p>\n<p class=\"sw-text-body-copy sw-whitespace-pre-line sw-pt-4 sw-text-secondary\">A series of recent studies suggests that drug use is increasing among Gen Z. Some young people are taking prescription anti-anxiety medications \u2014 such as propranolol and pregabalin \u2014 without a prescription. They\u2019re buying them online or on the black market, exposing themselves to additional risks.<\/p>\n<p>Jacqui Wakefield, our Global Health Reporter, explains why some young people see these drugs as an alternative to alcohol. They want to reduce social anxiety on a night out and experience a feeling of euphoria, but without the calories and hangover that can come with heavy drinking. We discuss the risks associated with using these drugs without medical supervision, and the potential consequences for young people\u2019s health.<\/p>\n<p>Warning: This episode includes references to suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n<p>If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, or are experiencing distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: www.befrienders.org<\/p>\n<p>Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld<br \/>\nEmail: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk<br \/>\nWhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6<br \/>\nPresenter: Hannah Gelbart<br \/>\nProducers:  William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates<br \/>\nVideo Journalist: Tim Hodges<br \/>\nEditor: Verity Wilde<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sw-text-primary sw-font-bold sw-transition sw-ease sw-transition-colors sw-duration-350 motion-reduce:sw-transition-none group-active:sw-text-accent group-active:sw-underline group-focus-visible:sw-text-accent group-focus-visible:sw-underline group-hover:sw-text-accent group-hover:sw-underline sw-text-brevier\">Programme Website<\/span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" class=\"sw-ease sw-transition motion-reduce:sw-transition-none sw-duration-350 sw-transition sw-ease sw-duration-350 motion-reduce:sw-transition-none sw-ml-2 sw-ml-1 sw-inline-block sw-fill-accent\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M21.9,16.9v11.5H3.7V10.2h11.1V7.6H1V31h23.6V16.9H21.9z M18,1v2.6h10.2l-0.5-1.1L11,19l1.9,1.9L29.6,4.3l-1.2-0.5V14H31V1 H18z\"\/><\/svg><button class=\"sw-group sw-text-pica sw-block sw-w-fit sw-pt-4\"><span class=\"sw-text-primary sw-font-bold sw-transition sw-ease sw-transition-colors sw-duration-350 motion-reduce:sw-transition-none group-active:sw-text-accent group-active:sw-underline group-focus-visible:sw-text-accent group-focus-visible:sw-underline group-hover:sw-text-accent group-hover:sw-underline sw-mr-0.5\">Show less<\/span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"0.75rem\" height=\"0.75rem\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" class=\"sw-ease sw-transition motion-reduce:sw-transition-none sw-duration-350 sw-ml-1 sw-mt-1 sw-inline-block sw-fill-accent\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M0 18L16 0l16 18z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/play\/w3ct994q?at_medium=RSS&#038;at_campaign=rss\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Available for over a year A series of recent studies suggests that drug use is increasing&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":85947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[6567,10964,7436,193,1201],"class_list":["post-97333","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-anxiety","tag-meds","tag-nights","tag-people","tag-world"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.0 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - 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