Comparison of the Emotional Effects of a Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agent and a Tranquilizer under Different Situational Conditions

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Abstract
The emotional effects of the .beta.-adrenergic blocking agent oxprenolol (40 mg, p.o. [by mouth]) and the tranquilizing agent diazepam (5 mg, p.o.) were investigated in healthy subjects under 3 situational conditions, an emotionally neutral control situation and 2 situations designed to arouse different levels of anxiety. Both oxprenolol and diazepem induced positive emotional changes only in the more strongly anxiety-arousing situation. Significant differences between oxprenolol and diazepam in inducing emotional stabilization were not demonstrable.