Beta Blockers

I couldn't find anything covering this with a search, but I was curious to know if any poker pros have ever discussed the use of beta blockers. I've read that some professional golfers use them to calm their nerves. It would seem logical that some poker pros might see an advantage in using them also.

[Ghazban]

I've used them for auditions before and hated them. They dulled my senses and my thinking wasn't as sharp. Those downsides aren't as big a deal playing an instrument but as logic and reasoning are so important in poker, I wouldn't dream of using them to play cards.

[prana]

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I've used them for auditions before and hated them. They dulled my senses and my thinking wasn't as sharp. Those downsides aren't as big a deal playing an instrument but as logic and reasoning are so important in poker, I wouldn't dream of using them to play cards.

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Damn i wish i would have known about these during my sight singing courses. I am a percussionist and sight singing almost killed me, still would be interesting to try foreven percussion performances I get nervous for.

[benkahuna]

Beta blockers are serious medications used for high blood pressure. They haave a variety of side effects including the exacerbation of asthma as the beta-adrenergic receptors (why they're called beta blockers) have a fairly high density in the lungs and asthmatics are particularly sensitive to the depression of their respiratory function.

This drug class has some depressant effects and like many depressants has deleterious effects on memory.

I would suggest avoiding drugs like this to calm your nerves due to their serious systemic side effects.

You're much better off with alcohol or, better yet, benzodiazapines like diazapam (Valium).

Better yet, just play poker until flopping a set or even flopping quads doesn't really change your mood that much.

[noggindoc]

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You're much better off with alcohol or, better yet, benzodiazapines like diazapam (Valium).



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Lol. Yep, no unwanted side effects with benzos! Great for poker. <<Yawn>>

[benkahuna]

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You're much better off with alcohol or, better yet, benzodiazapines like diazapam (Valium).



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Lol. Yep, no unwanted side effects with benzos! Great for poker. <<Yawn>>

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I said nothing to imply what you've suggested. They're hardly ideal. But, they are superior anxiolytic substances which is what the OP said he wants.

[jomatty]

i experimented with taking aderall and ridalin to help me concentrate during long live sessions and had mixed results. it made me very talkative (annoyuing im sure) and made me jittery and slightly anxious. it did however keep me alert and made me able to play extremely long sessions. i decided the bad outweighed the good and didnt try again with it but ive heard that it dosent affect everyone so dramatically so ... who knows
matty

Here's an article about beta-blockers being used by professional musicians:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/ar...&position=
(NY Times login required)

Sorry, it took so long to get back on the difference.

ADD is Attention Defecit Disorder

ADHD Attention Defecit Hyper-Activity Disorder

ADHD combines the effects of ADD and the inability to control ones calm behavior. Many ADD kids are very civl, using an educational reference, it is just that they cannot concentrate on a subject matter long enough to absorb the material. ADHD is what most ppl think of when they think of ADD. ADHD is the kid that cant concentrate and he is wild as hell.

I guess a small technical difference but then again we are not very good at truly understanding the complex world we live in.

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Sorry, it took so long to get back on the difference.

ADD is Attention Defecit Disorder

ADHD Attention Defecit Hyper-Activity Disorder

ADHD combines the effects of ADD and the inability to control ones calm behavior. Many ADD kids are very civl, using an educational reference, it is just that they cannot concentrate on a subject matter long enough to absorb the material. ADHD is what most ppl think of when they think of ADD. ADHD is the kid that cant concentrate and he is wild as hell.

I guess a small technical difference but then again we are not very good at truly understanding the complex world we live in.

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ADD is actually no longer an accepted medical term. There is a clear difference, but for some reason, the diagnosis is now only ADHD. I know this because I have(had, technically) ADD, and have been prescribed medication for it for 12 years.

oh and as far as AD/H/D drugs for poker go, the problem with adderall and ritalin is that they only last for around four hours. If your body handles it properly, concerta is the way to go. them shits last allllllll day.