Can a Blood Pressure Pill Also Lower Racist Tendencies?
- Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:45pm by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
A drug that helps lower blood pressure in patients with heart disease was also recently shown in a study of a small sample size to reduce subconscious racism, according to the Telegraph.
Oxford University researchers conducted the study on 36 white students, giving half a dose of the beta-blocking drug propranolol and half a placebo. What they found was that those who took the drug scored lower on a test designed to detect subconscious racism. Here’s how the propranolol works:
Propranolol is most often used to reduce high blood pressure by lowering the heart rate, as well as angina and irregular heartbeat. It is also used to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, and control migraine.
It is thought to work by blocking activation of the peripheral ‘autonomic’ nervous system, and in areas of the brain involved with formulating emotional responses, including fear, called the amygdalae.
The researchers believe propranolol reduces racial bias because such subconscious thoughts are triggered by that autonomic nervous system.
The Telegraph reports the study’s lead author Sylvia Terbeck as saying these results give researchers insight into the “implicit” bias of individuals, even those who may sincerely believe in equality. Julian Savulescu, co-author of the study, said the pill should not be considered a “cure to racism”, but believes understanding the “moral side effects” of drugs is important:
“Such research raises the tantalising possibility that our unconscious racial attitudes could be modulated using drugs, a possibility that requires careful ethical analysis,” [Savulescu said.]
Still, others say we need to remain skeptical of this drug’s influence on racism:
Dr. Chris Chambers, from Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, said the results should be treated with “extreme caution”.
He said: “We don’t know whether the drug influenced racial attitudes only or whether it altered implicit brain systems more generally. And we can’t rule out the possibility that the effects were due to the drug incidentally reducing heart rate.
“So although interesting, in my view these preliminary results are a long way from suggesting that propranolol specifically influences racial attitudes.”
The test study participants took was the Implicit Association Test, which has users sort words as well as people’s faces into certain categories to measure ”subtle and spontaneous biased behaviour.”
[H/T New York Daily News]
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 667 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 377 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 326 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 247 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 257 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 247 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (85)
cosmic dogma
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:33pm1984, Anyone?
Report Post »BarackStalin
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:37pmmore like Brave New World by Aldous Huxley…
they should call it soma…
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:17pmIt will mandatory for all obese white people under the new “ health care ” law to promote health and “ social ” justice.
Report Post »Maji
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:42pmI don’t know?
Report Post »If it’s a liberal clinic and I say Obamas a bad
Prez…I’m a racist
If I’m at a conservative clinc and say the
Same thing I’m okay!
P C BE DAMNED
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:55pmWill AFRICAN americans be taking this drug as they are the most racist people I have ever run into. Yes they believe they are superior to caucasions as they believe we are filled with hate and they are pure of heart. Which anyone who has any perception knows is not true.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:09pmDO they have one to suppress socialism?
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:13pm“Will AFRICAN americans be taking this drug as they are the most racist people I have ever run into. Yes they believe they are superior to caucasions as they believe we are filled with hate and they are pure of heart. Which anyone who has any perception knows is not true.”
Report Post »Wow. That’s just awful.
Stoic one
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:44pmHow about a study that includes Blacks and Brown folks too?
Report Post »Marci
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:58amOnly tested on white students and suppresses fear. First, how in the world do you detect SUBCONCIOUS racism? Easy–by a man-made left engineered test that says you are a racist. Skip the test, if you are white, you must wear the scarlett letter R.
Report Post »EddardinWinter
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 5:14amActually, this is more like Libria from “Equilibrium”. Are you feeling? Tread lightly, for you are treading on my dreams.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:13amI was thinking more of THX-1138…
“Take four red capsules. In 10 minutes, take two more. Help is on the way.”
Report Post »- Medicine Cabinet
Airb0rne4325
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:44pmI took one of those subconscious racist tests in college and it came out that I was indeed racist…against white people. I’m a white people. How does that figure?
Report Post »Seagal45
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:27pmThat is the biggest crock of bull crap I’ve ever seen.
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:26pmThis country is the biggest pill poppin nation in the world. The big pharma companies, conventional medical doctors and psychiatrists have convinced people that there is a pill to solve everything. This is just what we need another “pill” to mask a problem rather than have the person change their bad behaviors that impair their physical and/or mental health.
If you want to read a good book about the dangers of mood altering medication and the corruption of the FDA read: “Medication Madness” by Peter R. Breggin, M.D. Once you read this book hopefully you will never allow you or your child to be prescribed ADHD medications, depression medication or any other mood altering drug.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:24pmGood advice, did not have to read the book to find that out though, had a real doctor in Ohio that did not mince words on the AMA and FDA and always tyed to use natural and proven cures instead of just giving out pills for every symptom. When medication was the best option he would talk to you about the drug and side effects and benefits and leave the decision up to you. Good doctors are hard to find these days, most are just commercial doctors who prescribe drugs to mask symptoms and that is it unless you come back and complain enough many will not direct you to a specialist. Wan’t to see FDA corruption, do some research on Impro and their fight with the FDA and a Dr. Kimble and his jailing also why we can not buy liquid denepril citrate in the US.
Report Post »Archstone
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:13pmIn another study, liberals who take 10 of these pills will find renewed faith in their leader, The One.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:29amOr they can just turn the TV on and listen to him on MSNBC or C-Span.
Report Post »flyingeagle
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:06pmWell here comes Orwell agian. Now someone is going try to drug the public to lower the amount of raceism we feel even if we don‘t have rascist thought’s we are still rascist so nobody is exsempt exept of couse though’s in charge and thoughs who administer the drug. So who do we trust that much with everyone in lahlah land there must be someone we trust in charge. Come on this is out right out of lost Twilite Zone!! danananaaa nananaana!!!! I’d rather smoke a blunt!!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:03pmTry it first on Mr Obama and the Democrats; after all if they are the ones hyping this farcical idea then they should line up to do it first of all.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:15pmI was thinking that I have doubts a pill could cure racism. But, kicking a race-baiting, class-warfare-baiting, divisive person out of the Oval Office, WOULD reduce racism!
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:04pm“What they found was that those who took the drug scored lower on a test designed to detect subconscious racism.” Looks like the pill can’t help Holder and Der Obamasar — their racism is not subconscious.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:34am@Chuck – true, the main thing many people do not grasp about racism is that yes in part it is taught or instilled by events in our lives from birth to the grave; yet being so induced it can also be unlearned by one who is willing to deal with the matter.
Racism often stems from self hating anger held within and then made manifest when projected upon what the person or object they see as the cause of their own problems.
Racism such as Holder and Obama demonstrate is the ultimate level of denial and insanity; they refuse to see their own problems or deal with them, so they become their problems and seek to destroy all about them to ‘change the world for the better.’
In their madness they become the very thing they claim not to be (usually, Obama and Holder do admit openly to being radical extremists)
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:51pmBeen taking propranolol for about 15 years now. I’ve gone further to the right then ever before. Maybe it’s the drug that has propelled me to the right. Let’s get this drug out to the millions of liberals out there. We can turn them into conservatives overnight.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:49pmI understand that MD 20/20 Blue Raspberry with “BLING BLING” increases racist tendencies.
Report Post »dsind
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:46pmsoledad and mica and that other dueffus too!
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:39pmIf Mr. Beck is currently taking these then they do not inhibit publicly expressing racist thoughts.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:52pmWell we know that calypso Louie Farrakan doesn’t take them, because we all know what kind of racist pig he is.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:26pmPlease share your drugs so we can all disconnect from reality with you.
Report Post »MammalOne
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:32pmObviously this study is dumb but I’m trying to find the original article and I have no idea where to find it. The Journal of Psychopharmacology has ZERO papers from either one of the authors mentioned. Furthermore, the academic websites for these two people doesn’t mention such a paper.
Why do reporters never say what year it was published? What’s the title of the paper? Why not link to it? Step up your game, this stuff is important if you’re going to publish their claims.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:20pmLet’s give 60 Ron Paul followers an equal mix of these pills and a placebo. Let’s do a study?
Orrrr, give one to Ron Paul and Rand Paul then ask them the question again after a couple days… whether they would vote yes or no for the 1964 Civil Rights Act? See if their answers are different this time, lol.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:32pmGive it to Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson … and Obama … and Michelle Obama …. and Rahm Emanuel …. etc.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:32pmOh and ERIC HOLDER!
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:42pmCATB. Them too. DEFINATELY! They are the bigger of the two racist encampments IMO by far, but I’m duty bound to present the Ron Paul militia. Fair and balanced… lol.
Report Post »marcus_arealius
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:20pmCu3Zn2 around a Pb core works also.
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:17pmOnly if it can turn black to white and white to black.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:53pmBefore Propranolol I was in the KKK.After Propranolol I am now a Proud Member of the Black Panther Party….KILL WHITEY! And Dey Babies!
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:16pmSorry for hijacking this thread…
But Glenn, it’s time you start a column for us readers to post ideas on how to bring the economy to a peaceful, short-term halt.
I’d like to see our fellow truckers block every on-ramp and exit, strand every car across intersections, so to stop the workings of this country just for a day.
Have everyone march to our city’s town halls and petition our government representatives to chop the budgets immediately, to physically enforce our immigration laws, and to cancel all welfare for able-bodied Americans…
…now back to regular programming
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:13pmHow dumb.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:47pmThere’s a difference between dumb and people falling for this hunk of junk people call science. Seriously, how on Earth do they measure the so called “sub conscious racist tendencies” did they find Charles Xavier or Yoda?
These scientists need a simple slap back to reality.
Report Post »nmb7401
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:08pmWOW! I take blood pressure meds, and am thinking I should change over my meds because…when I disagree with the President‘s policy’s I am thinking I am being racist since that‘s what everyone else is accused of being when they disagree with his policy’s. This is me dialing my Dr. right now…
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:08pmI posted the first thing that I thought of and everyone beat me to it. The older I get, the slower I get.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:04pmGive the New Black Panthers a truck load.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:03pmThat‘s like testing a condom on Rosie O’Donnel. Why not try it on Jackson or Sharpton or Obama. That should come up with results.
Report Post »coldarkstare
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:59pmi have No white guilt and that keeps my blood pressure just fine :)
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:56pmWe just really need that asteroid to hurry up and hit us.
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:02pmRight on!!! LOL
Report Post »texanpatriot
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:05pmGreat post — :)
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:55pmI would not take any medicine that would dull my senses to reality. Some people are worthy of being despised and feared.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:55pmSend a bottle to Al Sharpton and see if he will still resist we much.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 10:27pmhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Report Post »hi
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:49pmQuick! Send a bottle to Obama!
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:03pmYou beat me to it!! Obama is the Racist in Chief!!!
Report Post »