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Comment by smars1245 | Hacker News Reader

Propranolol (beta blocker) will help. It shuts down the fight or flight mechanism in your brain. It calms your voice, your heartbeat and your nerves. It's really amazing...

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/can-you-treat-st...

I pop 4-5 of this 1 hour before a big meeting or presentation. I've also used them at private gatherings when I'm speaking in front of a larger group. Works really well. Tell your DR about your public speaking fears and he/she will more than likely prescribe you a beta-blocker.

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So to sum up your solution in one word, drugs. Nothing against it Propranolol but I just found it amusing drugs can almost be the solution to a lot of biological problems.

For most people, it's the fear and nervousness of public speaking that's the problem (not the content, knowledge, or skills of the presenter.) This fear can hold people back (it did for me). I'm sure Toastmasters would have the same impact (and I went to a few TM meetings) but I couldn't make it work with my other commitments. Propranolol is immediate and from a personal experience, it was extremely helpful for my career, confidence, etc.

All good, I get it. Like I said before, it makes sense and sometimes drugs is the solution. For ex. (since I've been watching a lot of baseball recently), Roman could be the go-to solution to ED. I just find it amusing that there is a drug to help with anything/everything.

I'm sure in our lifetime we will see CRISPR replacing drugs as the panacea to these "biological" issues.

CRISPR and drugs both have the same problem though, they lead to physical damage IF they go wrong (which they always do for some). I had a medical need for adrenaline blockers it gave me terrible nightmares for weeks, changing meds did not help.

They obviously did help you, so anyone else just be careful, biology is complex.

Sorry to hear that and I agree with your sage advice to be careful.

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