Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Quick Take
A social media post claims that the application of Vicks Vaporub on your neck helps a person fight anxiety. We fact-checked and found the claim to be False. Vicks Vaporub is not yet proven to have any positive effects on any psychiatric disorder.
The Claim
A Facebook post that gained around 71k likes claims that rubbing Vicks Vaporub on your chest while dealing with anxiety can fight the anxiety.
The text in this opening image read:
“Struggle with Anxiety
Try this
Stop anxiety”
Fact Check
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the body’s response to stress. It is a feeling of fear, uneasiness and dread about what might happen. The American Psychological Association defines Anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”
Anxiety is normal; however, if disproportionate levels of anxiety occur, causing physical symptoms, such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat, and the person gets recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns, it becomes a disorder which interferes with daily functions.
What is Vicks VapoRub?
Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment quite popular as a cough suppressant. Owned by Procter & Gamble, it is available as an over-the-counter medication. The manufacturer claims that Vicks VapoRub temporarily relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation associated with the common cold. It can temporarily help to relieve minor aches and pains of muscles and joints.
Can Vicks VapoRub be used to treat anxiety?
Not exactly. While researching, we do not found any evidence proving that Vicks Vaporub can help treat anxiety. The manufacturers of the product themselves do not recommend it to use against anxiety. The camphor and menthol present in it might give a cooling sensation, giving an illusion that it is alleviating some symptoms. However, it must be noted that anxiety disorder is a condition that needs medical help. The standardized treatment to treat it includes a combination of psychotherapy, behavioural therapy, and medication, and any hack would not treat the condition.
THIP Media Take: Neither do the manufacturers of Vicks VapoRub claim that it can be used to help anxiety, nor are there any scientific papers proving this. Therefore, the claim stands false until proven otherwise.
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