Getting an Rx for a beta blocker was the best thing I did for my career

[Anonymous]

Title says it all. Fear of public speaking/presenting held me back for years, and I just wasn’t taking the next steps to advance in my career due to me fear. Doc offered an Rx for a beta blocker and I pop one of those puppies before I have to present or speak to a large group. It 100% saved my career and helped me advance to the next level. I hope this post will help someone else.

[Anonymous]

Any side effects?

[Anonymous]

What’s a beta blocker? I take half a Xanax. Is a beta blocker better?

[Anonymous]

DP. This is a well-kept DC secret.

No side effects other than maybe a bit of feeling down the next day. (Negligible compared to other meds.)

[Anonymous]

Me too. Facebook ads for Kick are how I learned about it. Can't believe the difference it makes.

[Anonymous]

Just adding that the occasional beta blocker I was on (propranolol) caused low oxygen and difficulty breathing that required an urgent care visit. This way a super low dose, too.

[Anonymous]

I was prescribed a beta blocker a while ago by my ob/gyn to help with migraines and anticipatory anxiety.

This doctor shared that beta blockers were used by performers and med school students - no side effects and can eliminate stage fright.

Helped more with migraines than the anxiety -although I now take Xanax for major stressors maybe a few times a year.

[Anonymous]

I've done this for several years, particularly for speaking engagements, and it's a game-changer. I have often wondered why people rely on things like Toastmasters, which I found mostly useless, to overcome the fear of public speaking.

Nerves cause the fear, and beta-blockers block them. Done. You will be much more effective if you aren't fighting nerves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP. This is a well-kept DC secret.

No side effects other than maybe a bit of feeling down the next day. (Negligible compared to other meds.)

My only side effect is sleepiness about 6 hours after taking it. Another tip is to take it 2-3 hours ahead of time. It sometimes takes a while to kick in, so I def don't suggest waiting until the last minute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all. Fear of public speaking/presenting held me back for years, and I just wasn’t taking the next steps to advance in my career due to me fear. Doc offered an Rx for a beta blocker and I pop one of those puppies before I have to present or speak to a large group. It 100% saved my career and helped me advance to the next level. I hope this post will help someone else.

+100. I learned this trick late in my career. And DH now uses beta blockers too.

[Anonymous]

This feels like it's related to the social media campaigns I keep seeing trying to popularize beta blockers. Not a terrible idea. But a little weird.

[Anonymous]

I feel like everyone is “treating their ADD” and taking speed, and “treating their anxiety” and taking benzodiazepines or beta blockers.

This is how people stay skinny, work 80 hours a week, and show up publicly. I’m not sure it’s a good idea personally. Though I’ve been offered both by my GP.

[Anonymous]

Took it on my wedding day over 30 years ago. Magic. No butterflies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just adding that the occasional beta blocker I was on (propranolol) caused low oxygen and difficulty breathing that required an urgent care visit. This way a super low dose, too.

MD here. Beta blockers are the opposite of beta agonists. Beta agonists are bronchodilators and are used to treat lung conditions like asthma. I wonder if you have any underlying lung disease, PP.

https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200806-963ed

[Anonymous]

Fascinating. Any risk of you have very low blood pressure (I'm typically at 100/70)?