OTC Beta Blocker Alternatives (over the Counter) Video

Full Video Transcript

Over the counter beta blocker alternatives. Back in 1965, a scientific magazine called the Lancet first explored the use of heart palpitation medications known as beta blockers for a different purpose. Fighting performance anxiety. Today, we know that beta blockers can help block adrenaline and help performers, medical professionals, salespeople, musicians and and public speakers manage their stage fright. But there's still a lot of you out there looking for beta blocker alternatives.

We've been down this path and tried all of the beta blocker alternatives. So I'm going to show you what your options are if you're looking for an alternative, and tell you what works best for naturally overcoming your stage fright or performance anxiety issues. Now, here's something that might surprise you, and I'll explain exactly why this matters in just a moment. But the same neurotransmitter that beta blockers indirectly affect you can actually support directly with natural supplements. And that's just one of the five alternatives I'm going to cover today.

But first, let me ask you this. Have you ever wondered why some people seem naturally calm under pressure while others, maybe like you, get the shakes, sweaty palms and racing heart? The answer comes down to how your body handles adrenaline and more importantly, how you can train it to handle adrenaline better. I'll show you exactly how to do that. But stick around, because the fourth alternative I'm going to share might actually be sitting in your kitchen right now.

Alternative number one, GABA, your brain's natural brake pedal. The first over the counter alternative is something called GABA or gamma aminobutyric acid. Now, GABA is fascinating because it's your brain's natural brake pedal. It's a neurotransmitter that tells your nervous system to calm down. Here's what's happening in your brain when you get performance anxiety.

You've got excitatory neurotransmitters firing like crazy, telling your body, danger, danger. Prepare for battle. But GABA is the opposing force. It's what brings everything back to baseline. Studies have shown that people with anxiety disorders often have GABA deficiency.

So when you supplement with GABA, you're essentially giving your brain more of its natural calming chemical. One study found that GABA supplementation had a positive effect on stress and anxiety levels within just one hour of taking it. Now you can buy GABA supplements at most health stores or online. And the typical dose for anxiety is around 250 to 750 milligrams. But here's something interesting, and this connects to what I'll Tell you about the best overall solution.

At the end, GABA works even better when it's combined with certain other ingredients. I'll explain exactly what those are in a few minutes. Alternative number two. L-Theanine. The T advantage.

The second alternative is L-Theanine, and this one's really cool because it actually increases GABA production in your brain. So if GABA is the brake pedal, L-Theanine is like adding brake fluid. L-Theanine is an amino acid that's found naturally in green tea, black tea, and oolong tea. But here's what makes it special for performance anxiety. It promotes relaxation without making you drowsy.

That's huge because the last thing you want when you're giving a presentation or or performing is to feel sleepy. Studies have shown that L-Theanine can reduce both the mental and physical symptoms of stress. One particularly interesting study found that people who took L-Theanine had lower cortisol levels, that's your main stress hormone, and reported feeling significantly calmer during stressful tasks. You can get L-Theanine by drinking tea, but for performance anxiety, you you'll probably want the concentrated supplement form. The sweet spot for dosing is usually between 100 to 400 milligrams taken about 30 to 60 minutes before your performance.

But here's where it gets really interesting, and this is why I mentioned earlier that combinations work better. L-Theanine actually enhances the effects of GABA when taken together, it's like they're working as a team in your brain. Alternative number three, magnesium plus vitamin B6. The focus formula. Now, the third alternative is actually a combination magnesium plus vitamin B6.

And this combo does something really unique. It not only helps with the anxiety, but it actually sharpens your mental focus at the same time. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in your body, and it's particularly important for nervous system regulation. Magnesium deficiency is actually linked to increased anxiety and even cardiovascular problems, which explains why it can help with those racing heart symptoms you get with performance anxiety. But here's the kicker.

When you combine Magnesium with vitamin B6, something special happens. Research shows this combination improves cognitive performance and helps with focus and mental clarity. There was actually a study with kids who had ADHD, and when they were given magnesium plus B6, their focus and behavior improved significantly. So you're getting the calming effect from the magnesium plus the mental sharpness from the B6. It's like getting the relaxation benefits of a beta blocker while also boosting your brain power.

The typical dosing is around 200 to 400 milligrams of magnesium paired with 50 to 100 milligrams of vitamin B6. Again, this works even better when combined with the other ingredients I've mentioned. Alternative number four, Garlic, the kitchen counter solution. Now, here's the one that might surprise you. Garlic.

Yes, regular garlic can actually work as a natural beta blocker alternative. And the science behind this is pretty remarkable. Studies have shown that garlic has significant beneficial effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular health, essentially the same benefits you get from pharmaceutical beta blockers. One study even found that garlic extract had an equal effect on blood pressure as atenolol, which is a commonly prescribed beta blocker. Here's how it works.

Garlic stimulates the production of nitric oxide in your blood vessels, which causes them to relax and allows blood to flow more freely. This is the same basic mechanism that beta blockers use just, just through a natural pathway. Now, I'm not saying you should eat a bunch of garlic before your big presentation though. Some people do use aged garlic extract supplements. But it's pretty amazing that this common kitchen ingredient can replicate some of the cardiovascular benefits of prescription medications.

The challenge with garlic is getting a therapeutic dose without the strong taste and odor. That's why most people who use garlic for anxiety go with aged garlic extract supplements, usually around 600 to 1,200 milligrams per day. Alternative number five, the complete solution. Now, the fifth alternative, and this is the one I personally recommend and use, is a comprehensive supplement that combines several of these ingredients in optimal ratios. Because here's what I've learned after years of dealing with performance anxiety and, and trying all these individual supplements, they work better together than they do separately.

That's exactly why I developed PerformZen. It contains Gaba, L, theanine and magnesium, plus vitamin B6. So you're getting the first three alternatives I mentioned all in one formula. But it also includes a few other research backed ingredients like Theocrine for clean energy without jitters, and ginkgo biloba for improved mental clarity. The beauty of this approach is you get the calming effects to reduce your anxiety symptoms, but you also get the cognitive enhancements to keep your mind sharp during your performance.

It's like having the benefits of a beta blocker without any of the side effects or prescription requirements. And here's something I really want to emphasize. Unlike beta blockers, which you can develop a tolerance to over time, these natural alternatives actually help improve your body's stress response long term. You're not just masking the symptoms, you're actually building resilience. Which alternative should you choose?

So which of these alternatives should you try? Well, if you want to test individual ingredients, I'd start with L-Theanine. It's gentle, effective and you can find it easily. Take about 200mg 30 minutes before your performance and see how you feel. If you want something more comprehensive that gives you all the benefits I've talked about, then obviously I'd recommend PerformZen because it combines all these ingredients in research back ratios.

But here's the most important thing. Whatever you choose, start testing it during low stakes practice sessions. First, don't wait until your big presentation or audition to try something new. Give yourself time to see how your body responds and find the right dose for you. The goal isn't to feel emotionless or sedated, it's is to feel calm and confident while keeping your mental sharpness intact.

And that's exactly what these natural alternatives can help you achieve. Now I'm curious, have you tried any of these beta blocker alternatives before? Let me know in the comments what your experience has been and if you found this helpful, make sure to subscribe because I've got more videos coming on natural ways to beat performance anxiety and and optimize your mental performance. Remember, you don't have to let stage fright control your life. With the right natural tools and a little practice, you can learn to perform at your best, even under pressure.

Also, we've put together a completely free printable protocol highlighting industry secrets that professional performers use to stay calm under pressure. We recommend printing it out which is why we designed a full color version and an ink friendly version for for you to download and then keep it nearby as you practice in the run up to any presentation or performance. It's completely free and you can find that at www.performzen.com/protocol or scan the QR code on screen to get your hands on it. There's also links to PerformZen in the description and don't forget to hit that subscribe button for more content on beating performance anxiety Naturally. You can also check out some of these other videos on our channel, all about beta blockers and different methods for performing well under pressure.

And until next time, this is Lewis from PerformZen telling you to break a leg.