Jacqui Wakefield

Young adults, particularly members of Generation Z, are increasingly avoiding alcohol while turning to prescription drugs such as pregabalin and propranolol, as well as unregulated synthetic peptides, to manage social anxiety and produce alcohol-like effects without a hangover. Social media influencers promote these substances and sometimes facilitate access, while users may wrongly assume that prescription medicines are inherently safer. Experts warn that unsupervised or high-dose use can cause dangerous physical effects, dependence, withdrawal, worsening anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Rising pregabalin use and drug-related deaths have prompted regulatory reviews and tighter controls in several countries, though harm-reduction advocates caution that prohibition may expand the illicit market. The underlying concern is that chemical coping can undermine young people’s confidence in managing ordinary social situations without drugs.

Young adults, particularly members of Generation Z, are increasingly using prescription drugs such as pregabalin and propranolol, as well as unregulated peptides, to manage social anxiety and replace alcohol. Social media influencers promote medication “stacks” as healthier, cheaper alternatives to drinking, but experts warn that unsupervised or high-dose use can cause dangerous side effects, dependence, withdrawal symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Pregabalin-related deaths have risen sharply in England and Wales, while illicit online supplies add uncertainty about drug quality. Researchers debate whether these medicines can be less physically harmful than heavy drinking, but warn that relying on chemical assistance for social interaction may deepen anxiety and impair people’s confidence in coping without drugs.

Men increasingly turn to unproven fertility hacks promoted on social media, such as ice packs, saunas, supplements and blood donation, driven by fears of declining sperm counts. Influencers including Bryan Johnson and naturopath Lucas profit from selling protocols lacking scientific support, while some men misuse hormone medications like HCG and HMG in attempts to reverse fertility damage from steroids or testosterone therapy. Experts warn that these trends fuel unnecessary anxiety and may cause harm, stressing that lifestyle improvements such as quitting smoking, weight loss and exercise remain the only evidence‑based measures for boosting male fertility.

Men concerned about fertility are increasingly turning to unproven influencer-promoted practices such as icing testicles, sauna routines, red-light therapy and blood donation despite lack of medical evidence. Rising anxiety is fueled by misinformation from social media figures who link falling birth rates to declining sperm counts, often exaggerating scientific findings. Medical experts warn that self-prescribed hormone therapies and fertility drug “stacks” can cause serious harm, while growing awareness of male fertility is not matched by accessible professional guidance. Several men who followed online advice later required medical intervention, highlighting risks created by an information gap filled by commercialized health influencers.