Tequila, Pills, or… Something Better?
Tequila, Pills, or… Something Better?
Should you drink a tequila or pop a pill before you go on stage?
It’s a tempting thought. You’re pacing backstage, convinced you’re about to forget every word you’ve ever known, and suddenly that glass of tequila looks like a warm, supportive friend. A tiny pill whispers, “I can fix this.” And honestly? In the moment, both sound like a pretty fabulous idea.
Let’s break it down.
Alcohol can boost serotonin and mellow the prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain that loves to judge you like a snarky talent‑show panel. With that voice softened, stepping onstage feels less terrifying. For a moment, it’s like, “Look at me, carefree artist!”
But here’s the catch: alcohol is a diuretic. Translation: it dries you out like a forgotten houseplant. Your vocal cords? Parched. Your breath? Compromised. Your muscle tension? Off. Your projection? Meh.
Short-term confidence, long-term sabotage.
Then there’s the “just take a beta blocker” camp. Dutch singer Nora Fischer swears by it. And yes, beta blockers can steady the jitters.
But your physiology is not a vending machine. Pills don’t guarantee the same effect every time, and they come with side effects that aren’t exactly performance-friendly. Medication is serious business, and it’s not a universal solution.
So now what? Meditation? Deep breathing? Visualization? Positive self-talk? You might be thinking: “Ugh. That sounds like homework.”
And honestly, it will feel ineffective if you’re still tearing yourself down, expecting disaster, and letting your inner critic run the show. I say this with love—and experience.
Great performances require a cocktail of excitement and control, trust and alertness, freedom and form. And yes, preparation. Real preparation.
If tequila and pills aren’t your path, and the usual “just breathe” advice makes you roll your eyes, here’s the good news:
Your brain is rewritable. Literally.
Habit formation is not woo-woo. It’s neuroscience. Repeat an action consistently, and your brain physically rewires itself. James Clear calls the process simple: Make it obvious. Make it attractive. Make it easy. Make it satisfying.
When I used to freeze days before a performance, “positive self-talk” sounded like something for gurus in linen pants. I dismissed it—until I learned about neuroplasticity. Since the 1970s, we’ve known the brain is malleable. You’re not stuck with the beliefs you inherited as a child. You can build new ones.
Dr. Shad Helmstetter’s research shows that just 15 minutes of positive self-talk a day for six weeks creates new synaptic connections. You can literally become someone who supports yourself, trusts your abilities, and expects good things.
That’s a far more reliable performance enhancer than tequila.
So Start Today
Make it obvious: Put reminders where you’ll see them.
Make it attractive: Use a tone that’s kind, warm, and believable.
Make it easy: Listen to prerecorded self-talk while brushing your teeth or making coffee.
Make it satisfying: Let yourself enjoy the feeling of being supported—for once—by your own mind.
Forget the tequila. Build the brain you want to perform with.
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