<p>Beta blockers (β1-Blockers) lower <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norepinephrine" rel="nofollow noreferrer">norepinephrine</a> release (<a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00051" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Berg, 2014</a>), however it seems that the jury is still out on whether there is an effective <strong>and ethical</strong> way to prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).</p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.0.0140" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Donovan (2010)</a> states that there isn't enough strong evidence on its efficacy.  Another point it makes (on page 11) is that...</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Using any beta-blocker prior to combat to prevent PTSD in military personnel should not be considered, as it would likely be more detrimental than beneficial. First, the beta-adrenergic signaling system is mediated by the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are central to the fight-or-flight response, and they trigger the heightened awareness necessary for soldiers to survive in combat situations.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This can be the same for others who repeatedly face violent situations.</p>
<p>Plus, there are strong arguments for preventing any interventions that would affect the memories of those who suffer traumatic events in this way as...</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Our memory preserves us and who we are and where we have been, furnishes our sense of self, and is a combination of happy moments and shameful acts.To be ourselves we cannot abandon or forget who we once were: “To alter or numb our remembrance of things past cuts to the heart of what it means to remember in a human way“.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The only ethically safe way to prevent PTSD seems to be to prevent war and all other traumatic events</p>
<h2>References</h2>
<p>Berg T. (2014). β1-Blockers Lower Norepinephrine Release by Inhibiting Presynaptic, Facilitating β1-Adrenoceptors in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats. <em>Frontiers in neurology, 5</em>, 51. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00051" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.3389/fneur.2014.00051</a> pmcid: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997042/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">PMC3997042</a></p>
<p>Donovan, E. (2010). Propranolol use in the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans: forgetting therapy revisited. <em>Perspectives in biology and medicine</em>, 53(1), 61-74. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.0.0140" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1353/pbm.0.0140</a> PMID: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20173296" rel="nofollow noreferrer">20173296</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-22T01:41:58.797Z
Would taking the beta-blocker post-trauma lower the norepinephrine levels?
Ella
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-12T06:04:06.600Z
Is this not a "personal medical advice"??
Fghj
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-02-18T01:34:58.693Z
2023-01-09T08:47:50.537Z
2023-01-09T08:47:50.537Z
Chris Rogers
<p>Victims of abuse, people exposed to violent situations repeatedly, and people in war zones can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. PTSD is very common and has lifelong effects on affected individuals.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Can people exposed to trauma be treated before PTSD develops?</p>
</li>
<li><p>Would this treatment totally prevent PTSD from developing?</p>
</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-17T04:17:21.123Z
Propranolol.  https://msrc.fsu.edu/system/files/Propranolol%20use%20in%20the%20prevention%20and%20treatment%20of%20ptsd%20in%20military%20veterans%20forgetting%20therapy%20revisited.pdf      A drug being tested to prevent and treat ptsd see the linked material for more info
Kris
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-09T16:58:50.370Z
As of 2016, psychotherapy has been effective for *some people* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4723637/
belkarx
<cognitive-psychology><social-psychology><memory><stress><ptsd>
Is post-traumatic stress disorder preventable?
Ella
# Is post-traumatic stress disorder preventable?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-02-16)

Victims of abuse, people exposed to violent situations repeatedly, and people in war zones can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. PTSD is very common and has lifelong effects on affected individuals.

1. Can people exposed to trauma be treated before PTSD develops?
2. Would this treatment totally prevent PTSD from developing?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, social-psychology, memory, stress, ptsd

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Propranolol.  https://msrc.fsu.edu/system/files/Propranolol%20use%20in%20the%20prevention%20and%20treatment%20of%20ptsd%20in%20military%20veterans%20forgetting%20therapy%20revisited.pdf      A drug being tested to prevent and treat ptsd see the linked material for more info  
> **username_2**: As of 2016, psychotherapy has been effective for *some people* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4723637/  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-02-18. Score: 14

Beta blockers (β1-Blockers) lower [norepinephrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norepinephrine) release ([Berg, 2014](https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00051)), however it seems that the jury is still out on whether there is an effective **and ethical** way to prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

[Donovan (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.0.0140) states that there isn't enough strong evidence on its efficacy. Another point it makes (on page 11) is that...

> Using any beta-blocker prior to combat to prevent PTSD in military personnel should not be considered, as it would likely be more detrimental than beneficial. First, the beta-adrenergic signaling system is mediated by the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are central to the fight-or-flight response, and they trigger the heightened awareness necessary for soldiers to survive in combat situations.

This can be the same for others who repeatedly face violent situations.

Plus, there are strong arguments for preventing any interventions that would affect the memories of those who suffer traumatic events in this way as...

> Our memory preserves us and who we are and where we have been, furnishes our sense of self, and is a combination of happy moments and shameful acts.To be ourselves we cannot abandon or forget who we once were: “To alter or numb our remembrance of things past cuts to the heart of what it means to remember in a human way“.

The only ethically safe way to prevent PTSD seems to be to prevent war and all other traumatic events

## References

Berg T. (2014). β1-Blockers Lower Norepinephrine Release by Inhibiting Presynaptic, Facilitating β1-Adrenoceptors in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats. *Frontiers in neurology, 5*, 51. doi: [10.3389/fneur.2014.00051](https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00051) pmcid: [PMC3997042](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997042/)

Donovan, E. (2010). Propranolol use in the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans: forgetting therapy revisited. *Perspectives in biology and medicine*, 53(1), 61-74. DOI: [10.1353/pbm.0.0140](https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.0.0140) PMID: [20173296](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20173296)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Would taking the beta-blocker post-trauma lower the norepinephrine levels?  
> **username_4**: Is this not a "personal medical advice"??  

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