Nerves and Beta Blockers

Another method a few musicians use to treat nerves is a medication called “beta blockers.” These are pills which “block the receptors for the physical effects of a person’s natural fight of flight response. They are not sedatives, and they can’t help anxiety of a purely psychological nature.” (Ethanwiner.com (1997) Beta Blockers and Performance Anxiety [online]) This will eliminate the physical response a musician has when becoming anxious or nervous. However, there can be serious risks in taking beta blockers. They can cause "decreased heart rate; decreased force of heart contractions; bronchoconstriction (can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma); uterine contractions; decreased blood pressure; relief of migraines; and decreased tremor." (Ethanwiner.com (1997) Beta Blockers and Performance Anxiety [online]) There are several beta blockers that work in different ways to relieve you of the nerves and each have their own pros and cons. It is essential to obtain this medication from a licensed physician, as it is a violation of the law to give medications to someone other than the person to which they were initially prescribed.