Drugs for anxiety: from chloral hydrate to novel therapeutics
The British Journal of Psychiatry May 28, 2026 Peter M. Haddad
Anxiety 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.