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Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

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Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#81

Post by zemptime »

tootie wrote: post #67
fnordpiglet wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should investigate clomiphene citrate instead of testosterone directly. Clomid mutes the brains response to estrogen, the final feedback product of the testosterone cycle. This causes the body to produce more testosterone in the testes rather than front loading the cycle. The primary impact is your testes continue to function, while testosterone over time will chemically castrate you. This has been in use for 60…

I'm pretty sure the FDA has never denied a drug use application because it's not patentable and that's just a conspiracy theory used by people pushing bogus treatments. If there's peer-reviewed research that it works, it would be prescribed without doctor shopping.

If the cost of providing this research is high, who would fund this peer-reviewed research which wouldn't make them any money?

For example, who would fund more studies on ginger? https://nutritionfacts.org/video/ginger-for-migraines/

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#82

Post by thecleaner »

Sleep comes to mind the first thing. I prioritise it and regularly clock 8hrs (I dont have kids). Perhaps stop the alcohol and weed ? One hack is to drag yourself to the gym. Bad habits would have to away or you won't be able to lift shit. Anecdotally I have been lifting for like 1.5months now and I do notice that I can think more calmly and patiently now. Not sure if they are correlated.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#83

Post by throwaway2037 »

tobtoh wrote: post #80

One thing to check: Your hearing I went through a period of life in my late 30s where I felt I was getting stupider. I was struggling to pickup new concepts and get a handle on new situations quickly like I used to. I was made redundant during a 'restructure' and I strongly believe it was due to these issues I was dealing with. Several months after being made redundant I got my hearing checked - I had moderate hearin…

Wow, this is a superb post. Have you blogged about this experience? I am sure many on HN would be interested to learn more! I have lost hearing from dance clubs. I am always the first person in a moderately noisy setting to say "Huh / What / Can you say again?" When I dine out, I try to sit side-by-side. It is so much better for me than across a table!

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#84

Post by DamnYuppie »

300bps wrote: post #35
DamnYuppie wrote: post #15

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After complaining about it to some peers I was informed this could be due to low testosterone so I went and had that tested. Apparently my testosterone level was that of a 70 year old man so I started testosterone replacement therapy. I can say that it is a complete gam…

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed…

I have been very active my entire adult life.

Part of what really tipped me off was my energy before and after the gym was much lower than it used to be. Also I would be tired starting around 2 PM in the afternoon, this isn't sleep related as I sleep like a baby, which I am grateful for. Also I never drank coffee or took lots of caffeine so I was perplexed as to why I would just crater in the afternoons.

After starting the treatment I am no longer tired in the afternoons, my mind feels sharper and I can tell I am recalling processing info better. The energy at the gym has improved as well.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#86

Post by DamnYuppie »

sillysaurusx wrote: post #43
300bps wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed…

How do you measure testosterone? You make it sound like you just step on a testosterone scale each morning and take note of the value. If that’s the case, I need to get me one.

I went to a clinic that specializes in it. They take several blood samples and send them off to the lab, the test for overall testosterone levels, free testosterone, estrogen and one other I am not 100% certain of.

There is a range that is considered normal testosterone except that range is HUGE, my results were at the very low end of that spectrum.

Part of the plan I am on I get tested every month for the first 3 months then every 3 months there after.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#87

Post by fnordpiglet »

dominotw wrote: post #69
DamnYuppie wrote: post #15

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After complaining about it to some peers I was informed this could be due to low testosterone so I went and had that tested. Apparently my testosterone level was that of a 70 year old man so I started testosterone replacement therapy. I can say that it is a complete gam…

> I can say that it is a complete game changer! Could this be a placebo effect. I have low testosterone too. I've been doing "natural" ways by changing diet, cardio/weights, sleeping in a lot, trying to have sex regularly. But my numbers just don't seem to budge. I think my only options now are TRT or just accept and make peace with it. If I do TRT, my impression is that you have stay on it for life. I am not sure i…

See my reply above about clomiphene citrate. I had that same worry. While I still take it I could stop at any time and my body will produce testosterone naturally. TRT is castrating and there are medical alternatives that work.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#88

Post by he0001 »

I’m much older than you, and I don’t feel any of what you are describing. I’m taking on harder and harder problems, and in fact I believe I’m improving. I’m doing all R&D for my dept as none of my colleagues do/want or can do this. I’m usually the one people go to when they have problems. I haven’t used drugs, stopped drinking alcohol couple of years back and workout regularly. When I feel slow, it’s usually due to bad or little sleep.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#90

Post by fnordpiglet »

DamnYuppie wrote: post #84
300bps wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed…

I have been very active my entire adult life. Part of what really tipped me off was my energy before and after the gym was much lower than it used to be. Also I would be tired starting around 2 PM in the afternoon, this isn't sleep related as I sleep like a baby, which I am grateful for. Also I never drank coffee or took lots of caffeine so I was perplexed as to why I would just crater in the afternoons. After starti…

Are you under extreme stress? This is what induced mine, I was working at a very stressful Wall Street quant trading job at a major firm at the time.
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