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Beta blocker: Propranolol
- Thread starter Geepers
- Start date
I’m interested in Propranolol use for countering the tremor associated with stage fright. I was reading a piece that said a survey showed around 20% of professional classical musicians in the US are using it for this purpose but that number may be much higher as many may not report it. Sounds like it’s taking over from the traditional nerves calmer: alcohol.
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I suffered from extreme stage fright, and Propranolol has been a life changer. My hands used to shake and stress levels were so high that by the time I got to the gig I would be exhausted, tweaked, and wrung out - not ideal. I used Propranolol and suddenly I was calm and played wildly better, actually enjoyed myself, and even became the 'front man' for the band. I also enjoy that Propranolol is so cheap and has very little contraindications, unless you have quite low blood pressure. My blood pressure is fairly low but I was fine. My friend, however, has extremely low blood pressure and can't use it because it makes him woozy.
I take it for anxiety and migraine, and it works well for both purposes. Minimal if any side effects for me. Hope this helps.
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Propranolol is a widely used medication for a variety of purposes…anxiety is one of them.
I’m going to put a common sense sentence here…use it under the supervision of a doctor. Beta blockers exert some of their effect by slowing heart rate, which can obviously be dangerous if the drug is too effective (dose too high, patient is sensitive to medication, etc).
The long and short…it can be very helpful, but it’s a poison like any drug and can have unintended, and sometimes potentially life threatening, results without the right person guiding you to use it the right way.
I’m going to put a common sense sentence here…use it under the supervision of a doctor. Beta blockers exert some of their effect by slowing heart rate, which can obviously be dangerous if the drug is too effective (dose too high, patient is sensitive to medication, etc).
The long and short…it can be very helpful, but it’s a poison like any drug and can have unintended, and sometimes potentially life threatening, results without the right person guiding you to use it the right way.
Curious here if people mix beta blockers with alcohol on the gig. They say not to, but I imagine plenty of people ignore that in the presence of complimentary drinks.
I wouldn't get on it for that. A beta locker is something you have to take daily and cannot just quit without weening off it gradually.
It may have unwanted side effects as well. Xanex may be a better option as far as prescription meds to deal with anxiety.
Some have had great success with hypnosis.
I would try to conquer it naturally before attempting to go the medication route.
There are some mental tricks you can try to deal with it and the internet is abundant with information.
Good luck, I hope you find peace and are able to enjoy your experience on stage.
I used to take it some time ago for blood pressure. It does slow down the heart rate. I had to stop taking it because my legs started swelling up; the flesh at my shins would be puffy and when I pushed on it with a finger it left a depression that would take a while to go away. My ankles also started bulging up. Very uncomfortable feeling. I understand that this is a side effect associated with it but it varies person to person.
Edited: I had to gradually get weaned off of it. It's not something you just stop taking and apparently it takes a while to build up to the desired effect, at least for blood pressure control.
Edited: I had to gradually get weaned off of it. It's not something you just stop taking and apparently it takes a while to build up to the desired effect, at least for blood pressure control.
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Have you considered working with a therapist?
Yes! for every gig. not for nerves (though it does help but mine weren't crippling by any means) but id often get debilitating hand cramps at gigs. can play for hours in the practice room. seems that whatever mind/body connection I have - those slight butterflies translate to muscle cramps. tried being well hydrated, potassium, magnesium. didn't help. but the propranolol worked like magic.
I believe the statistical data shows that talk therapy is not generally effective with stage fright.
can have a few but the hangover is brought on much easier in combination
Careful with Xanax too...alprazolam is a kind of quick high and low thing. Works very well for what it's supposed to do, but each peak has a corresponding trough and it's a very easy drug to develop tolerance to (though not as much as its predecessor Valium), requiring more and more for the same prior effect.
I'd be wary of mixing alcohol with either beta blocker or benzos. Best bet is to avoid alcohol altogether if you require meds. You may already be doing this, and I know I said it before, but for the sake of safety I'll repeat: talk to a medical professional before trying any of this stuff please!
I'd be wary of mixing alcohol with either beta blocker or benzos. Best bet is to avoid alcohol altogether if you require meds. You may already be doing this, and I know I said it before, but for the sake of safety I'll repeat: talk to a medical professional before trying any of this stuff please!
Agreed...mindfulness meditation is helpful if you practice enough to become good at it. Easy stuff like laying off caffeine can go a long way for minor cases. Sometimes, you need additional help though and that's of course ok!
I used to gig as a drummer. No band needs a wasted drummer! I used to chat with the bartenders before shows. If someone wants to send shots to the band, I prefer "vodka." But please send a shot of water instead. Everybody wins!
Do not mix anxiety medications with alcohol. Speak honestly with qualified professionals, such as a doctor or pharmacist, about the risks.
I have a good friend that got a job a few years back that requires occasional public speaking and he swears by beta blockers for those occasions. Thankfully I don't really get stage fright. I get a little jittery sometimes but its more from excitement. I also have a bit of a pill phobia. I'll take an Aleve or similar for a bad headache or fever but that's it. Last time I had surgery the Dr prescribed me some strong opioids and I just threw them in the trash.
