Drugs for anxiety: from chloral hydrate to novel therapeutics
The British Journal of Psychiatry May 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2026.10598 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAnxiety disorders are common and disabling. Current medications have limited effectiveness, notable side effects, and little innovation. This editorial reviews past, current, and emerging anxiolytic treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, and highlights key themes. There remains a major need for improved medications to reduce disability and improve quality of life.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Editorial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | General |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Chloral hydrate Anxiolytic Key lock Drug |
| Key finding | There remains a major need for improved medications to reduce disability and improve quality of life. |
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are common and disabling. Current drugs have limited efficacy, notable side-effects and little innovation. This editorial briefly reviews past, current and emerging anxiolytic treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, and highlights key themes. There remains a major need for improved medications to reduce disability and improve quality of life.