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Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

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Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#91

Post by ellyagg »

fmora wrote: post #83
binspace wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, try coding while high. I find it does not really diminish my IQ, it just changes the how I think. Basically, my thinking becomes more tangential, so I'm able to explore scenarios with depth. It also relaxes me and helps me to let go of certain notions create boundaries to coming up with different solutions. Usually, when encountering such a problem, I will pace around the house exploring the line of thought. Of…

"Does not really diminish my IQ" You remind me of a TV program where they did a study how drinking affect driving. The test subjects would swear that they drive even better when drunk. They got them drunk, put them behind the wheel, and it was horrible. They completely suck. How do you know is not the same thing with you. We would need to do an experiment to verify your claims.

It surely lowers you IQ, although it still may still be a net positive. Many brilliant people are also anxious, and can't get things done because of it. If marijuana helps you relax enough to focus, this is a win. I don't smoke, and I've hardly done any sorts of drugs at all ever actually, but I kind of get the appeal when I take Benadryl (I know it's weird), because the tiredness relaxes me and I stop worrying about a lot of peripheral problems.

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#92

Post by csomar »

I have the same problem (exactly) with another problem: If I start coding (or working on some projects of mine) I just don't stop work until something stops me (like dinner, extremely exhausted->sleep, a friend calling for coffee...)

I think the real problem is "How to get into that mode". It's simple:

- Be ready: Sleep well. Eat, Water or Coffee should be near your desk.

- Close all distractions. If you do web development, use another browser to navigate or block websites with rescuetime ;)

- Start with something simple. Much more simpler than coding. A to do list. Don't start with coding it's hard. Start with your to do list and get into the thinking mode that you used to get it when off-computer

- You start thinking, opening folders, testing, write a line of code.... and woups already 5 hours spent and you didn't notice it :)

Hope it's not Dementia, but a check is cheap (whatever it costs)

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#93

Post by CamperBob »

stan_rogers wrote: post #72

Take this seriously. Very seriously. What you're describing may be no more than acute stress, something that can be fixed with a proper vacation (as in "completely vacate your life" -- go on a camping trip, visit an ashram or monastery, spend some time wwoofing) and a subsequent lifestyle change to allow for periods of relaxation and enjoyment during your normal routine. Or it may be something much bigger. As a sober…

Not to downplay the serious symptoms you've described, but that's all a bit dramatic when the guy has described nothing more or less than Slashdot Syndrome.

When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#94

Post by cheald »

This happens to me when I hit burnout. I've solved it lately by using Toggl (http://toggl.com) to track what time I'm spending where. It's a lot easier to NOT tab over to reddit/HN if I look over and see myself "on the clock" for a given project.

I keep time tracking for time spent on distractions, as well, and after a few days of that number being bigger than I'd like, I started paring it down pretty dramatically.

Hope that helps!

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#95

Post by CamperBob »

fmora wrote: post #77
jacquesm wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm kind of upset at the ease with which the use of Marijuana is advocated here for just about every disorder that people might suffer from. For one it is possibly an illegal substance, second, it affects your brain in ways that would require a lot of research before you commit to it, after all, a programmers most critical resource is their brain. Now, I know some people that function very well in spite of using sign…

A whole younger generation in America seems to be more into Marijuana, and they don't see it as wrong. And these are usually middle class kids. That is probably why a lot of people here seem to be really casual about it. And now let the down voting begin.

This happened before, about 40 years ago. A whole younger generation was into marijuana.

Now they're running the DEA.

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#96

Post by mannicken »

jacquesm wrote: post #71
jawngee wrote: post #28

Marijuana + Exercise. Seriously. I was having exactly the same issues recently, mostly the result of burning out in a giant flame from my last gig. MJ and getting off my mildly chubby ass were huge boons to productivity. YMMV, but it's worth a shot. I'd go for something a long the lines of Sour Diesel or BC Blueberry are strains I've found to really increase concentration and focus without making one lazy or sleepy.

I'm kind of upset at the ease with which the use of Marijuana is advocated here for just about every disorder that people might suffer from. For one it is possibly an illegal substance, second, it affects your brain in ways that would require a lot of research before you commit to it, after all, a programmers most critical resource is their brain. Now, I know some people that function very well in spite of using sign…

Perhaps it is advocated for a lot of disorders because it, well, let me put it this way -- actually helps those disorders? To my knowledge, one of the reasons behind making it illegal was extensive lobbying from drug-corporations who were afraid of an easily-grown, non-addictive fun competitor.

For your second point, yeah, it's probably a good idea to research anything before you ingest/inhale/inject it. High-fructose corn syrup, I'm looking at you :)

Your example doesn't bring anything new to the table. I know people who function well in spite of playing World of Warcraft and I know people who temporarily ruined their lives playing WoW. Was it WoW's fault? Should we make WoW illegal? Should we make everything illegal because it might lead to devastating consequences?

In process of experimentation, I created two rules for myself: a) You can't blame your fuckups on the drug, even if you were under the influence. b) You don't have to mention that drug helped you, if you created something good.

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#97

Post by asnyder »

jacquesm wrote: post #50
jacobolus wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn’t downvote you, but the OP’s comment doesn’t seem to me to reflect “burnout” as it is described in that Wikipedia article (e.g. the Tracy quotation “burnout is largely an organizational issue caused by long hours, little down time, and continual peer, customer, and superior surveillance”). Then again, I’m still not sure I understand either a formal technical definition, or quite what people generally mean when…

Yes, that was exactly my point. Burn-out is a (very) serious condition that can have many consequences, including depression. To say 'you're burned-out' and to say that 'you need a break' combined with the statement that his gf keeps him from being burned-out half the year indicates a use of the term burn-out that does a dis-service to both those that are really burned out (because someone might read this and think t…

There's nothing I said that conflicts with the Wikipedia article. As someone that has seen a medical professional related to burning out, I can say with confidence that some R&R coupled with a change of pace, and focus can be very helpful in shortening or delaying burn out.

Next time I'll make sure to include elaboration, just in case someone misinterprets my brief statements with an official definition.

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#98

Post by Jd »

mannicken wrote: post #96
jacquesm wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm kind of upset at the ease with which the use of Marijuana is advocated here for just about every disorder that people might suffer from. For one it is possibly an illegal substance, second, it affects your brain in ways that would require a lot of research before you commit to it, after all, a programmers most critical resource is their brain. Now, I know some people that function very well in spite of using sign…

Perhaps it is advocated for a lot of disorders because it, well, let me put it this way -- actually helps those disorders? To my knowledge, one of the reasons behind making it illegal was extensive lobbying from drug-corporations who were afraid of an easily-grown, non-addictive fun competitor. For your second point, yeah, it's probably a good idea to research anything before you ingest/inhale/inject it. High-fructos…

Let's restate those rules of yours:

(1) You cannot blame the drug if something negative happens while you are taking the drug

(2) You can give the drug credit if something positive happens while you are taking the drug

I wonder why you come out with only positive feedback....

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#99

Post by mannicken »

Well, then not do anything. Lay in your bed, watch shitty sitcoms, eat food, just don't do anything. It will feel unusual if you've been working for a long uninterrupted time but you need time to rest.

You remind me of a runner who just ran 10mi and is asking: "Hey, I feel tired, why is that? It seems like my legs don't really feel like moving. What should I do? Drugs? Doctors? Am I addicted to something?"

Go and rest for brain's sake. In fact, I've been doing this all Sunday -- I'm laying in my bed with a laptop, looking at the cars outside, and watching crappy sitcoms. I am forcing this lazy behavior so I can recover and have fun working tomorrow.

Re: Ask HN: My brain refuses to think, what should I do?

#100

Post by mannicken »

Jd wrote: post #98
mannicken wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps it is advocated for a lot of disorders because it, well, let me put it this way -- actually helps those disorders? To my knowledge, one of the reasons behind making it illegal was extensive lobbying from drug-corporations who were afraid of an easily-grown, non-addictive fun competitor. For your second point, yeah, it's probably a good idea to research anything before you ingest/inhale/inject it. High-fructos…

Let's restate those rules of yours: (1) You cannot blame the drug if something negative happens while you are taking the drug (2) You can give the drug credit if something positive happens while you are taking the drug I wonder why you come out with only positive feedback....

>I wonder why you come out with only positive feedback....

It's a mystery to me as well :)

I also like your formulation better. The main point is the first one anyway -- about blaming this or that on "I was drunk/high/whatever".

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