On Tue, 23 Mar 1999, Stephen Black went:
> Citing a paper allows me to relate some hearsay. I understand that
> some performers have experimented with the class of drugs known as
> "beta-blockers" to take the edge off their nervousness, while others
> claim that it instead takes the edge off their performance
Both claims are true, according to my own experience: as an
undergraduate, I used to take the beta-blocker propranolol before I
made class presentations. The effect was interesting--my fear
remained as intense as ever, but it was unable to manifest itself in
any peripheral symptoms of fight-or-flight. No pounding heart, no
trembling hands, no bulging eyes, no shaking voice. With that extra
bit of control over my body, I had more control over my performance.
But it wasn't worth it for me. I found that I prefered to harness the
stimulant properties of nervousness.
--David Epstein
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
