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Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering

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Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering

#42

There is an interesting question underlying this scenario - is working in a cutthroat culture "normal" in the first place? If you needed stimulants to succeed there, and are trying to now live a healthier life, does that job even fit in that healthier life? Or should the answer to your question be more along the lines of finding a new role where your productivity meshes better with the expectations?

Agreed. It's great that you are looking for a healthier life. Try to find a healthier job.

Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering

#43
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve read numerous anecdotal accounts that espouse this. Not discounting yours at all, as the precise mechanism of action of modafinil is not well understood despite decades of human testing [0][1]. From my limited understanding, it increases histamine, the effect opposite of anti-histamines like diphenhydramine. [0] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15991923/ [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22640618/ Anecdotally,…

If all it is doing is adding histamine could you get it from food?

Presumably, modafinil causes production and continual release of histamine via mast cells in quantities far greater and faster than the most histamine rich foods.

Fermented fish tops the list, which, personally, sounds profoundly unappealing for breakfast.

But to each their own, maybe a cup of coffee and a can of surströmming is the ultimate morning combo

Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering

#44

I haven't ingested stimulants since university, but a few surprising things put me in that familiar state of deep, almost euphoric concentration. I don't know why any of these work; it's up to you to determine how crazy I am. 1. NAC. I don't like this because it also seems to cause heartburn and blunts me. 2. Home brewed kefir. Overbrewing has the opposite effect, so you have to be diligent about changing the grains…

Why iodine of all thing? Is it not the same as using iodized salt which is toxic to the linings?

Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering

#45

I haven't ingested stimulants since university, but a few surprising things put me in that familiar state of deep, almost euphoric concentration. I don't know why any of these work; it's up to you to determine how crazy I am. 1. NAC. I don't like this because it also seems to cause heartburn and blunts me. 2. Home brewed kefir. Overbrewing has the opposite effect, so you have to be diligent about changing the grains…

Why iodine of all thing? Is it not the same as using iodized salt which is toxic to the linings?

More specifically, it's Betadine's sore throat gargle formulation, which is povidone-iodine. I don't know if that's any different. It's presumably safe when properly diluted. I imagine it's suggested for its antibacterial effects. All of the actions I've listed are antimicrobial to a degree, which can leave you feeling sharp and focused if not healthy otherwise. That's my best guess at least.
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