The Midnight Pumpkin Blog

People who suffer from cosplay anxiety or social anxiety in general may have noticed the recent buzz around beta blockers and wonder if they can help. I’m here to share my personal experience using beta blockers to manage my own cosplay anxiety, and how they worked for me.

What is Cosplay Anxiety?

Cosplay is an expressive and exhilarating hobby, but for many, it also comes with a hidden challenge: anxiety.

Whether it’s stage fright before a masquerade performance, social anxiety at crowded conventions, or fear of being judged while wearing a bold costume, “cosplay anxiety” is very real—and more common than you might think.

Cosplay anxiety is a form of performance or social anxiety triggered by participating in cosplay-related activities. It can stem from:

• Fear of judgment over costume accuracy, body image, or skill level
• Stage fright during cosplay competitions
• Overstimulation from loud, crowded convention spaces
• Social pressure when interacting with photographers, fans, or other cosplayers

Symptoms may include racing heart, sweaty palms, shaky hands, nausea, mental fog, or full-blown panic attacks—especially before going on stage or walking the con floor in costume.

What Are Beta Blockers?

Beta blockers are a class of medications typically used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions, and migraines.

They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine), the hormone responsible for the “fight or flight” response. By doing so, beta blockers help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety—such as a racing heart, trembling, or excessive sweating—without affecting your mental clarity.

Common beta blockers include propranolol, atenolol, and metoprolol. Among performers, propranolol is a favorite for situational anxiety, such as stage fright or public speaking. And propranolol (Brand name: Inderal) is what was prescribed to me for panic attacks and anxiety.

How Beta Blockers Can Help with Cosplay Anxiety

For cosplayers, beta blockers can be a game-changer—especially if the anxiety is primarily physical. They won’t necessarily make you feel braver or calmer emotionally, but they minimize the body’s anxious reactions, helping you appear cool and composed.

Let me emphasize that statement: they will NOT make you brave or change your mindset. That part is up to you! The effect is purely physical.

This can be particularly helpful if:

• You’re entering a cosplay contest and get shaky or breathless on stage
• You’re meeting fans or judges and worry about looking nervous
• You want to feel more in control during panels or photoshoots

For example: I used to be terrible at costume contests. I’d get shaky, my heart would race, I wouldn’t be able to speak without my voice trembling. I would pretty much just run across the stage to get it over with even though I’d worked for months on my cosplay.

It’s incredibly hard to feel confident when your body is betraying you by reacting like that.

Enter the beta blocker propranolol, prescribed by my doctor after I started getting full blown panic attacks.

By taking the beta blocker, it would stop all the annoying reactions that would normally ramp up right before a contest or even just walking out on the con floor. And without my body going haywire, my mind had an easier time staying calm and not panicking.

I will mention that it’s not exactly a magic pill. Sometimes my body will be trying so hard to react that I feel a little queasy fighting that reaction.

But it always passes if I can get my head in the right space. Which is why you can’t expect a beta blocker to solve all your anxiety issues, and you should have a few other methods to control your cosplay anxiety.

Other Helpful Tools for Managing Cosplay Anxiety

While beta blockers tackle the physical symptoms of cosplay anxiety, a holistic approach can be even more effective.

Here are some additional strategies to ease cosplay-related anxiety:

• Practice and preparation: Rehearse your poses, skit, or walk ahead of time to build confidence.
• Grounding techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, or sensory exercises can help regulate stress in the moment.
• Positive self-talk: Replace perfectionist or fearful thoughts with affirmations like “I got this” or “Cosplay is for everyone.”
• Support system: Go with friends or join a cosplay group to ease social pressure and boost encouragement.
• Desensitization: Start with small local cons or wear your costume casually at meetups to gradually build confidence.
• Costume comfort: Choose designs that make you feel confident, not just impressive.

Keep Cosplay Fun!

Cosplay should be fun, freeing, and empowering—but anxiety can get in the way. For some, beta blockers can provide reliable support when anxiety comes to crash your party.

Combined with mental health strategies and community support, they offer a practical way to calm the storm of nerves and let your creativity shine.

After all, the magic of cosplay isn’t about perfection—it’s about passion, expression, and having the courage to step into the character you love.

However, beta blockers aren’t for everyone. They require a prescription and should only be used under medical supervision—especially if you have asthma, diabetes, or heart conditions. Talk to your doctor about whether they’re the right solution for you.