The biggest problem for most beginners at getting girls, is a phenomenon known as Approach Anxiety (AA). Before you can even think of attraction (let alone seduction!) you are going to be bombarded with a very real mental and physiological blockade, designed to keep you precisely where you are on the tribal totem pole. But you, having read New Tribal Dynamics, know that this blockade, this elaborate cocktail of cortisol, adrenaline and various other chemicals, is an evolutionarily designed feeling that was once valid in the ancestral environment for which we are suited, but now has no place in the abundance of modern society.

Now, since our ’survival machines’ are outdated in this modern world, could it be possible that the modern world itself can ‘cancel out’ our now invalid (yet, alas, nonetheless potent) tribally evolved feelings?

Of course, I am talking about modern medicine. Many pickup artists (PUAs) would frown upon such a low brow solution, citing the need to just ‘go in anyway’, and in most cases this is the best route. Resorting to potent medications with sometimes severe side effects when Approach Anxiety could be tamed (not removed) by willpower alone seems pretty stupid. However, there are some men out there who are genetically predisposed to low status, or who have experienced certain life trauma which traps and entombs a man to meek, shy and inactive (low status) ways. In either case, whether environmentally or biologically triggered, one man’s Approach Anxiety can be far, far worse than what another might experience. There is an entire spectrum of Approach Anxiety Intensity (AAI) which should be taken into account the next time an already outgoing PUA chides a beginner and tells him to ’suck it up’. At the same time, this article is by no means a call for a ‘quick escape’ for men who simply don’t want to face their fears (we all must). Nor is it intended as medical advice; we are simply going to explore the possible effects of various drugs on Approach Anxiety.

1. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs)

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, sertraline and escitalopram, or Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine and duloxetine are indicated for the treatment of depression, social anxiety, panic disorder and general anxiety disorder, amongst others. The effects of serotonin reuptake inhibition were explored heavily in Peter Kramer’s bestseller Listening to Prozac, most notable being, transforming shy, inhibited people into ’social butterflies’. The tendency for these medicines to increase extroversion is very promising for the mediation of crippling Approach Anxiety, such that we might class a certain man’s AA as being over a clinical threshold (if AAI could somehow be measured – perhaps by physiological response and/or brain activity) and treat those sufferers with SSRIs as a first line. But the exact reason for these effects is what makes serotonin reuptake inhibition interesting, particularly with a view of our ancestral past. In Peter Kramer’s book, clinical experiments were done on rhesus monkeys, which measured each monkey’s blood serotonin levels and observed his respective position within the tribe. The results were remarkable: The dominant monkey (tribal leader) had by far the highest blood serotonin levels, and when he was removed and another monkey took his place as the tribal leader, that monkey showed a significant increase in serotonin levels. It is pretty conclusive evidence that serotonin levels are associated with assertiveness, confidence, dominance and composure – all necessary components of a man well equipped to battle Approach Anxiety. For if we think back to why AA exists in the first place, it is for fear of death at the hands of the tribal leader; but, if one is the leader himself, he will surely feel less anxiety (although the switch does, crazily enough, still exist inside his body so we cannot say he won’t experience anything when he tries to approach a woman).

The physiological effects of serotonin reuptake inhibition consist of a ‘thymoanaesthetic’ effect, where that sharp, poignant sinking feeling in one’s chest is suppressed – the main reason for decreased rejection sensitivity amongst those with higher serotonin. Also, a ‘thymoenhancing’ effect which ‘fills’ the emptiness and weakness in one’s chest, with a fuller, energetic strength. This is the same energy which gives depressed people the energy to get up and go about their daily lives, whereas they might otherwise be too physically drained and exhausted to go on. Both of these key effects emanating from the chest may decrease Approach Anxiety amongst those sensitive to rejection and/or physically exhausted, particularly if we note that one of the reasons for AA in the first place, is the very real fear of rejection at the hands of females in the tribe, since the entire tribe (all the other women) will find out about this and it is likely that none of them will even consider mating with him as a result.

2. Atypical Antipsychotics

The newer, ‘atypical’ antipsychotics, such as olanzapine and quetiapine (which famous pickup artist Mystery was prescribed in ‘The Game’) are not as useful as SSRI/SNRIs for Approach Anxiety, yet certain men may still benefit greatly from them, and even ‘need’ them in order to do perform in the field. These antipsychotics, aside from treatment of schizophrenia, are also indicated for treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder (mood stabiliser). While men who are bipolar should be on some sort of mood stabiliser anyway, there is an entire spectrum of people who may at certain intense stimuli, exhibit hypomanic qualities. For example, highly frustrated, volatile men may have extremely pronounced reactions on seeing a beautiful woman. These emotions may be: intense anger (that she is not with him), and intense desire, which is often counterproductive in that there is far too much outcome dependency placed on his interaction with her (if he does manage to approach). This will cause nervousness, lack of composure, racing thoughts, and often the ‘deer in the headlights’ will ensue.

The physiological effects of atypical antipsychotics are to further suppress any fleeting movements in the chest, which SSRIs do not. Atypical antipsychotics, aside from action on dopamine, act on many serotonin (5HT) receptors in the brain, too. The chest becomes very peaceful, feeling neither pleasure nor pain. The disadvantage of this is, of course, lack of desire, and hence Approach Laziness, and this is where the person doing the approaching has to consciously tell himself that he desires more than anything to do this, despite the indifference caused by this medication. Psychological effects of atypical antipsychotics relevant to Approach Anxiety are a ’slowing down’ of thoughts, lack of desire (accompanied by the removal of the jealousy/envy/desire ‘pang’ in the chest), indifference, even mild sadness, much like a heavily tranquilised wild animal. There are advantages and disadvantages to this, but overall, atypical antipsychotics as mood stabilisers work very much in favor of diminishing, or at least greatly blunting, Approach Anxiety.

3. Benzodiazepines

What anxiety article would be complete without the infamous benzodiazepines? Although not recommended for long term use due to tolerance and high addictive potential, benzodiazepines such as diazepam, alprazolam and lorazepam are useful for short term mediation of mainly physical manifestations of Approach Anxiety: shaking, trembling, butterflies – all of these can be suppressed by the soothing, calming effect of a benzodiazepine. Thoughts, too, slow down and enable a man to approach and speak without noticeable physical discomfort -  the illusion of composure created by medicine will lead to success, which in turn will lead to unmedicated composure. Indeed, this article is intended primarily for the beginner with crippling AA, not the already successful PUA.

Love,
James