Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

Towards the end of the week, usually on Thursday (we work Sunday - Thurs), I am unable to focus and progress - my body and my brain just don't want to work and write any more code. I feel that I should be resting instead, but I need to work.

So I use food as a performance enhancing drug. I gobble up chicken wings, veggies, chocolate, peanut butter sandwiches, milk, fruit, Sprite Zero - lots of it - and all of a sudden I can work again.

Does anyone else feel this or go through something similar? Do you think it's healthy? Is there any alternative? It definitely screws up my diet.

Those foods (mostly) are giving you a rush of serotonin which is likely why you can power through.

I wouldn't be surprised if you had a pretty hard crash on Saturday.

To answer the question: yeah I used to do similar, but I found more joy in pacing myself appropriately and treating my working time as a lot less intense than I used to.

This behavior is dangerous. I would advise consulting with both a dietologist and a psychologist.

> I feel that I should be resting instead, but I need to work

XY problem it seems

This reminds me of the web comic from Toothpaste for Dinner: “dopamine and serotonin, technically the only two things you enjoy.”

Maybe when your motivation for work dries up you have learned to replace the good feeling chemicals by binging a new reward: food. Especially true if you have been neglecting (starving) your body, not exercising.

I think you could easily find this habit devastating to your long term health. When you have this urge maybe it’s long time you took a break. Good luck!

I believe that's binge eating, which is never healthy.

Personally, I try to keep a very balanced diet, with more substantial foods and nutrients (is less carbs) so I don't think I've had this problem.

I do snack though, with cashew nuts or fruits in between mealtimes. Helps give an energy boost.