Anxious Americans Turn 2 Pills, Placebos?

One downside to capitalism is its venture vultures so often pounce on our human frailties. Ergo “The Booming Business of American Anxiety” as a flurry of companies “aim to fill demand for mental-health help” with sometimes silly remedies.

As the WSJ noted: “A search for ‘anxiety relief’ on Google pulls up links for supplements in the form of pills, patches, gummies & mouth sprays. There are vibrating devices that hang around your neck & ‘tone your vagus nerve,’ weighted stuffed animals, bead-filled stress balls & coloring books that claim to bring calm. Ads for online talk therapy apps pop up on social-media sites.”

The conclusion? “Americans are anxious – and a flurry of old-line companies, upstarts & opportunistic entrepreneurs aim to fill the demand for relief.” The WSJ piece puts part of the blame on the pandemic, its lockdown mentality & lingering consequences. Perhaps. But, maybe don’t give a pass to the pharma & medical profession for pushing a mentality LONG before Wuhan, er, Covid had become a threatening household word that says a “drug can be found to solve” any ill, real or perceived. And, don’t forget the last decade’s questionable crusade in academia, the MSM & “influencers” everywhere to urge even marginally depressed folks to run to a shrink rather than a bartender as earlier generations had to sort life’s challenges out. Ironically, the WSJ notes, “Americans looking for [such professional help] have found that the supply of available & qualified therapists hasn’t kept up with demand.” So. Where’s Joe the Bartender when you need him?

Davd Soul