4 ms·
Professional public speakers use a beta blocker like propanolol before going on stage.
by meindnoch 4mo ago
Professional public speakers use a beta blocker like propanolol before going on stage.
- toxik 4mo agoPropanolmao, even
- martijnvds 4mo agoPropanorofl
- neonstatic 4mo agoThat's just sad.
- boringg 4mo agoMaybe some do but thats not the norm.
- brookside 4mo agoNot something I need for public speaking. But what a godsend propranolol has been for a contentious work situation causing extreme anxiety. Wonderful to take ahead of a scheduled meeting that could have otherwise been an hour of physical panic that no rational thought (this will feel unimportant in a week, it's just job, etc etc) could quell.
- kator 4mo ago> Professional public speakers... Maybe some do, but I've never needed it. Often I actually find public speaking easier than small groups. In a small group my brain is trying to "model" what each person is thinking about my talk, as the groups get larger that becomes impossible and I tend to relax and let go. I also find the energy in a larger setting is a useful feedback mechanism. I might toss a small joke out and see if the audience is engaged, or I will ask a question and get a show of hands. The more I engage the calmer I feel and the more enjoyable the experience is for me and my audience.
- evolvingstuff 4mo agoThat's interesting. My brain does the same in terms of attempting to simulate that model of the people, but when it becomes impossible to run the algorithm (too large of a group), instead of just giving up, my brain goes into panic mode. I have found propranolol helps me with many of the physical symptoms that would otherwise dominate.
- kator 4mo agoYears of practice and “This won’t kill me” thinking have helped a lot. Also I watch every single talk I’ve given which is brutal but it lets me improve but also re-affirm I didn’t die… [1] https://www.karlbunch.com/random/change/ https://www.karlbunch.com/random/change/
- telesilla 4mo agoI agree regarding audience size and add the factor or preparation - no way am I going to speak to a large audience without solid prep. That helps me a ton, feeling prepared and rehearsed.
- squigz 4mo agoPresenting this as something that all or even most public speakers do is a bit wild. Have you got any evidence for that?
- antonvs 4mo agoHe does, but it would require a rectal probe to retrieve it.
- hereme888 4mo agoCool point re: propranolol: Exercise increases heart rate. The more we exercise, the more the heart gets used to that adrenergic stimulation. This decreases the number of receptors to sense adrenaline in the heart, so whenever adrenaline rises again into the system, like in public speaking, we can handle it much better. Exercise mitigates public-speaking anxiety. Particularly prolonged cardio.
- hrideshmg 4mo agoI don't think this is necessary at all, anecdotal but I used to have terrible social anxiety and fear of public speaking but after putting myself through it for several rounds it just kind of clicked. Eventually, your body learns to adapt and understand that this thing you dreaded isn't so bad after all