preece@uicsl.UUCP (10/26/83)
#R:bbncca:-20900:uicsl:16100003:000:483 uicsl!preece Oct 25 15:57:00 1983 The discussion of beta blockers brings up a question I've been curious about. Does anyone know of any studies on use of betaadrenergics (the opposite, if you will, of beta blockers) as performance enhancers? I'm reasonably sure they're on the banned list for athletic competition, but I would think that they'd be tempting to singers, among others, since they increase the airways' ability to pass air. Is there an underground market for drugs like ventolin around conservatories?
sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer) (10/27/83)
I have my doubts that beta-adrenegic agents would have any significant effect on pulmonary volume in normal singers (i.e. those without asthma or other cases of bronchoconstriction.) It might well be that their side-effects (e.g., exaggerated heart-beat) would exaggerate normal performance nervousness, and interact poorly with a peformer's already 'irritated' autonomic system. On the other hand, these agents are available over-the-counter, either as asthma inhalers or tablets, and in some cold pills--I'm thinking of epinephrine and metaproterenol, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and theophylline (this last, not an adrenergic agent, but a bronchodilator.) So, those foolish enough to play around with them don't need to go to a black market. Anyway, great singers aren't judged by how much air they use, but how they use what's available. /Steve Dyer decvax!bbncca!sdyer