What is the America's most popular mind medicine? Obviously Xanax.
When it hit the market in the 1981, nobody knew it would be so popular. Before it came to its position, the number one med was Valium. However, it was unable to treat panic attacks. Xanax did it and sold like hotcakes. Cured panic attacks, depression, anxiety, neurosis and many more... How do it work? It simply suppress the output of neurotransmitters that interpret fear. Still, after three decades it remains the best selling mind medicine, topping more recently introduced sleeping pill Ambien or antidepressant Lexapro.
However, the things got really serious. Is it still a medicine or just a narcotic? Every year there are 50 million presciptions written by doctors for Xanax or alprazolam (a cheaper equivalent). That's more than one prescription every second. It is said that the nowadays lifestyle, especially American one, is so demanding for people, that they have to enhance theirselves.
However, there are also other reasons for its popularity. Mostly, recreational ones. Marijuana, tobacco or alcohol enhance the effect of the medication and get the person the the state of unconsiousness, or simply - high. Furthermore - it is extremely additive and should be taken temporarily, because its effects diminishes within time (totally uneffective after 6 months).
Task: Do a research on the most popular medications in your country. Are they overused and do you, perhaps, take one of them?
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