The green pills in The Queen’s Gambit are referred to as “xanzolam” in the show, but they are actually a fictional drug that is thought to represent tranquilizers like Librium. Librium, also known as chlordiazepoxide, was a popular drug in the 1960s for treating anxiety. While the show does not explicitly state which specific drug the green pills represent, the similarities between the effects and the time period suggest that they are likely a fictionalized version of Librium.
Librium, a member of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, was first introduced in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity as a treatment for anxiety and other mental health conditions. It works by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps to calm down excessive neural activity and reduce anxiety.
In The Queen’s Gambit, the green pills are administered to the main character, Beth Harmon, to help her cope with the stress and anxiety she experiences. Beth is a young prodigy chess player who faces numerous challenges and struggles with addiction and mental health issues. The green pills act as a form of self-medication for her, helping her to calm her racing thoughts and alleviate her anxiety.
It is worth noting that the use of tranquilizers like Librium was quite common during the 1960s. These drugs were often prescribed to women who were expected to conform to societal norms and suppress their emotions. This is reflected in the show, as Beth’s adoptive mother and later her manager, Mrs. Wheatley, provides her with the green pills as a means of controlling her behavior and keeping her focused on her chess career.
While the exact nature of the green pills in The Queen’s Gambit is fictionalized, their portrayal in the show sheds light on the common use of tranquilizers during the 1960s and the potential dangers and consequences of relying on such medications for mental health issues. The show explores the complex relationship between mental health, addiction, and the pressures of success in a captivating and thought-provoking manner.
The green pills in The Queen’s Gambit are a fictional representation of tranquilizers, likely inspired by drugs like Librium. They serve as a symbol of the era and the challenges faced by the main character, Beth Harmon, as she navigates her way through the competitive world of chess while battling her own inner demons.