Perceptions and Prevalence of Anxiolytic Medication Usage for Performance Enhancement Among Musicians

While anecdotal reports of the use of performance-enhancing medications to curb anxiety in performing artists abound, there has been no research to date assessing the prevalence of usage and attitudes towards use amongst the artists themselves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions, acquisition, and use of potentially performance-enhancing medications (benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, and cannabinoids) in the performing artist community to clarify the use of these medications to improve patient counseling and patient safety.

Cross-sectional survey.

Anonymous survey administered through an online platform (REDCap).

None.

Musicians who are members of or perform in member groups of the American Federation of Musicians, National Association of Schools of Music, Regional Orchestra Players Association, and the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians.

Prevalence of medication usage, subject perceptions of usage, and subject acquisition of medications.

A total of 311 subjects participated in the study. The mean age was 45.6 years, 52% male and 47% female. Forty percent are full-time ensemble musicians, with most being orchestral musicians in a stand-alone orchestra. Fifty-seven percent of subjects take beta-blockers when auditioning for a job, 51% take beta-blockers for performances, and 19% for solo situations. Fewer musicians take benzodiazepines and cannabis products to help with anxiety. Thirty-two percent, 22%, and 17% felt beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, and cannabis were performance-enhancing respectively, but less than 10% felt use was unethical.

The results of this study demonstrate current use patterns of beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, and cannabis-containing products in the musician population. Beta-blockers appear to be well tolerated and most frequently used for performance anxiety.