Stress: Beta Blockers (Modifying Behaviour) Flashcards
What points can be made when describing beta blockers?
How they work
Types of beta blocker
Off label use
Use by musicians
How do beta blockers work?
Reduce the symptoms of sympathetic arousal (the physical symptoms of acute stress) by blocking the receptor sites of hormones such as adrenaline in antagonist action
What is the full name for beta blockers?
Beta adrenoceptor blocking agents
block the receptor sites of hormones in atagonist action
What are the two types of beta blockers?
Selective
Non-selective
What are non-selective beta blockers?
They block all adrenaline receptors around the body as well as the heart so have more side effects on the liver and kidneys
What are selective beta blockers?
They work on the adrenaline receptors around the heart and have less of an effect on the rest of the body so less side effects
Which type of beta blocker has less side effects?
Selective drugs
What can be said about the drug’s off label use?
They were originally designed for cardiac problems which means that the manufacturer doesn’t have a licence to make them for anti-anxiety reasons. The drug is untested in this area but doctors still perscribe it if they think that the benifits outweigh the risks
How are beta blockers used by musicians?
To combat stage fright
Lockwood: 2,000 musicians - 27% use beta blockers, 19% on a daily basis
According to Lockwood, what percentage of musicians use beta blockers?
27%
According to Lockwood, what percentage of musicians use beta blockers on a daily basis?
19%
How many musicians did Lockwood study?
2,000
What points can be made about effectiveness?
Benifits on performance
Benifits on other aspects (habit behaviour)
Long term
What benifits to performance do beta blockers have?
Effective in reducing performance anxiety
Neftel: Gave musicians a beta blocker or placebo 6 hours before performance. Those on the drug had lower heart rates, played better and reported less stage fright
Schweitzer: Different types of drug has varying effects. Students rated them differently despite them having the same physical effects
What psychologists investigated the effects of beta blockers on performance?
Neftel
Schweitzer
What was Neftel’s study into the effects of beta blockers on performance?
Gave musicians a beta blocker or placebo 6 hours before performance. Those on the drug had lower heart rates, played better and reported less stage fright
What was Schweitzer’s study into the effects of beta blockers on performance?
Different types of drug has varying effects. Students rated them differently despite them having the same physical effects
What other benifits do beta blockers have apart from on performance?
Schwabe: Stressed people fall into habits rather than focusing on their goals
Groups given beta blockers were just as goal directed as a group with no stress. Placebo group fell into negative habits
Shows beta blockers prevent stress-induced bias
Who looked into the effects of beta blockers on habit behaviour?
Schwabe
What can be said about the long-term effectiveness of beta blockers?
Don’t adress emotional side so don’t stop route cause
Revolving door syndrome
Unhelpful for people who think irrationally or are type A
People may build up a tolerance or become dependent
What are the ethical implications?
Side effects
Performance enhancement
What are the social implications?
Off label impact (valid consent)
Overperscription
