Beta blockers are common in classical musicians

Posted by andy evans (A) on September 23, 2014 at 13:52:59

In Reply to: Doping in the world of music posted by middleground on September 23, 2014 at 08:43:10:

This is my kind of subject as a performance psychologist. Beta blockers are common in classical musicians, and also as stated with actors and executives who have to give presentations. Very little use in dancers, since the movement in itself clears the adrenalin.

I wouldn't actively recommend them because it's much better to have a toolbox of strategies and methods like breathing, mindfulness and relaxation. And since most anxiety is the product of previous bad experiences and the fear of "how do I know it won't happen again at any time" it's important to take a detailed performance history and deconstruct it so as to persuade the sufferer that the blow-up events were the product of a cluster of stressors which won't happen again in the same exact way. All this gives substantial relief. The goal is not to eliminate nerves but to substitute manageable discomfort rather than feelings of panic.

Beta blockers are most useful in the case of stubborn or extreme cases of rapid heartbeat which are hard to get at by talking them through - things like major bullying traumas from early years which have migrated to performance situations.

Most musicians want to come off them, or just keep them for very stressful gigs. There are various medical contra-indications, a big one being asthma, and they should always be prescribed and not shared out to colleagues.

Norman Lebrecht referred to them as "performance enhancing drugs" which is ridiculous, but what's new there.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Doping in the world of music - middleground 08:43:10 09/23/14 (18)

My wife used beta blockers for one performance - Chris from Lafayette 20:13:47 09/23/14 (2)

"I just don't get that nervous anymore." - tinear 08:08:56 09/28/14 (1)

You're coming down here from Oregon? - Chris from Lafayette 11:59:18 09/28/14 (0)

RE: Doping in the world of music - learsfool 19:37:23 09/23/14 (0)

RE: Doping in the world of music - fstein 19:35:01 09/23/14 (0)

Beta blockers are common in classical musicians - andy evans 13:52:59 09/23/14 (1)

RE: Beta blockers are common in classical musicians - mkuller 08:37:09 09/26/14 (0)

Doping? - Amphissa 12:01:45 09/23/14 (4)

If they enhance performance than doping is an appropriate word . . . - risabet 13:33:04 09/25/14 (1)

They don't make you play better so not PEDs - andy evans 07:41:08 09/26/14 (0)

RE: Doping? - middleground 16:15:59 09/23/14 (1)

RE: Doping? - Amphissa 20:37:31 09/23/14 (0)

RE: Doping in the world of music - Analog Scott 10:07:50 09/23/14 (0)

Violinists were and perhaps are the worst offenders - John Marks 10:01:47 09/23/14 (4)

Exactly -- no big deal at all. Some guys get nervous even tho they're pros. nt - Rick W 11:20:27 09/23/14 (3)

RE: Exactly -- no big deal at all. Some guys get nervous even tho they're pros. nt - rbolaw 12:03:47 09/23/14 (2)

Agree. - Rick W 23:28:01 09/23/14 (1)

+1: Agree. - andy evans 12:22:35 09/24/14 (0)

Follow Ups

Beta blockers are common in classical musicians - andy evans 13:52:59 09/23/14 (1)

RE: Beta blockers are common in classical musicians - mkuller 08:37:09 09/26/14 (0)

Beta blockers are common in classical musicians

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