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Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

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Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#51

Post by sasas »

josephagoss wrote: post #22
jheriko wrote: post #15

Be careful. A lot of the drugs with strong effects necessarily have long term consequences from repeated use owing to their mechanisms of action. You risk making yourself 'dumber' over time with prolonged use. Especially, with the amphetamine based crap that US doctors seem okay to use for medical purposes despite most of the developed world not doing so, and using safer alternatives.

Out of curiosity, have you heard of any negative long term side effects from Modafinil and it's derivatives? (I don't think they are based on 'amphetamine')

I have a friend who has taken it every day for the last 2 years. No negative side effects except when he doesn't take it, he feels like he is not performing at his best.

The major concern with Modafinil is that we just don't know what the long term side effects are. That's the risk you take.

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#52

Post by sasas »

alaskamiller wrote: post #19
bshimmin wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let me get this right. You pop this pill and then work for 24 hours straight? How do you feel the following day?

It's like caffeine without side effects. Front end of the 24 hours you can be productive with detailed tasks but towards the latter part you're best with menial tasks, like cleaning.

no headaches?

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#53

Post by falcolas »

Lewton wrote: post #35
StevePerkins wrote: post #24

I took piracetam years ago when I was considering a career change and prepping for the LSAT exam. I believe that its legal history is somewhat similar to ephedra... 10-15 years ago you could buy it over-the-counter or online, but since then it's been taken off the market in the U.S. Regardless, my experience was that its only value is the placebo effect. If a substance actually does anything real, and there is potent…

>Regardless, my experience was that its only value is the placebo effect. If a substance actually does anything real, and there is potential for a pharmaceutical company to patent and profit from it, then you can generally rest assured that it will be scheduled to require a doctor's prescription. For just about everything, the over-the-counter options consist of vitamins and quackery. So either blatantly break the la…

Prilosec as well. Works remarkably well, for an OTC solution.

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#54

Post by flowlikeh2o »

sasas wrote: post #12

Not a nootropic as such, but fuelling my brain on ketones rather the glucose has made an incredible difference in concentration and cognitive ability. (Ketogenic = High fat, carb restricted diet)

Its unlikely that depriving your brain of fuel is having a positive effect on concentration, but since eating carbs triggers insulin, which supresses the effects of adrenaline, you might just be experiencing the benefits of not saturating your diet with sugar.

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#55

Post by a5seo »

Igglyboo wrote: post #33

I've been taking vyvanse(before that adderall) for the past 10 years. I wouldn't have been able to graduate from highschool without it, I can barely function at my job(devops) without it. I haven't noticed any long term affects, it definitely works though. It's scheduled so it's not easy to get but it definitely works compared to some of the more hit or miss OTC nootropics. I'm willing to answer any questions if anyo…

I just started adderall for add-inattentive. So far I don't notice a pronounced effect. I've tried Modafinil in the past and 10mg of Adderall 2X daily doesn't really compare.

From what I understand, the effect should be something like putting on glasses when you have myopia.

What was your experience with Adderall and why did you switch? Vyvanse is an all-day dose, right? Did it affect your sleep?

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#56

Post by JohnBooty »

StevePerkins wrote: post #24

I took piracetam years ago when I was considering a career change and prepping for the LSAT exam. I believe that its legal history is somewhat similar to ephedra... 10-15 years ago you could buy it over-the-counter or online, but since then it's been taken off the market in the U.S. Regardless, my experience was that its only value is the placebo effect. If a substance actually does anything real, and there is potent…

That's so true about the other factors that sap productivity - it's a rare moment when our brains are the limiting factor, rather than the thousands of distractions tugging us from every direction.

It's also true, though, that there are things that help us deal somewhat with the distractions - both directly (various ADHD medications, stimulants) and indirectly (getting great sleep, exercise, happy home lives, etc).

And, of course, anything that would actually help us during those brief blessed stretches of uninterrupted work would be wonderful as well.

  > If a substance actually does anything real, and 
  > there is potential for a pharmaceutical company 
  > to patent and profit from it,
Well, maybe not?

There's two things there - efficacy and potential profitability. There's a whole wealth of substances, from vitamin supplements to aspirin to melatonin, that are quite effective but not overly profitable... at least not on the scale of a blockbuster, patented drug.

I don't think there are any magic cures for cancer that fall into the category of "effective, but not profitable" but I do think there's hope that there are substances that might boost brain function by... let's say 5% or 10%, or some other modest but useful amount.

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#57

Post by falcolas »

Igglyboo wrote: post #38
jacques_chester wrote: post #2

I take Ritalin, prescribed for ADHD-I. It's made a positive impact on my life. From time to time I am able to actually get stuff done . I also trialled dexedrine (which made me behave like a ... not nice person) and strattera (which did nothing for me).

You should try vyvanse, I used to take Ritalin and then my doctor trailed me on vyvanse and it lasts the entire day with far less negative side affects than Ritalin. I immediately fell in love, it's still patented though so it isn't cheap without insurance.

There is also Concerta - which is basically a mechanical pump contained in a pill that delivers Ritalin spread over 8 hours. They aren't under patent, but the extra mechanics built into the pill still drive a generic 30 day prescription into the $200 range (pre-insurance).

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#58

Post by JohnBooty »

afswashere wrote: post #6

I use Modafinil (Modalert) once a week. It allows me to work with 100% focus and productivity for 24 hours... so my week is like this: Mon. to Wed. = meetings readings, learning and planning... then I take a pill and execute hard.

How do you obtain it? (I understand you might not be able to be specific)

I've heard of it being prescribed off-label for people with ADHD diagnoses.

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#59

Post by flowlikeh2o »

pyromine wrote: post #41
Igglyboo wrote: post #33

I've been taking vyvanse(before that adderall) for the past 10 years. I wouldn't have been able to graduate from highschool without it, I can barely function at my job(devops) without it. I haven't noticed any long term affects, it definitely works though. It's scheduled so it's not easy to get but it definitely works compared to some of the more hit or miss OTC nootropics. I'm willing to answer any questions if anyo…

Okay, so I'm a college freshmen who graduated high school in three years but did that in a combination of excelling and getting absolute 0's in classes because I'm not able to concentrate. I believe I have adhd, for many reasons, how realistic is it getting diagnosed at 18? Also, is there really not many noticeable long-term side effects, because I took vyvanse once and holy god it was the first time I was able to si…

I'm 30 and in med school, had a similar experience in high school, and my first attempt at college wasn't too different. I couldn't have changed gears without the right diagnosis, support and medication (though medication is truly just one aspect of it).

I was diagnosed in my 20s. If you go to a therapist/psych to talk about your issues you have a good chance of working them out and getting the support you need. the first psych to dx me was through the university health department, don't be afraid to use the services that are available for you.

Re: Ask HN: Do you take nootropics?

#60

Post by aboutus »

flowlikeh2o wrote: post #54
sasas wrote: post #12

Not a nootropic as such, but fuelling my brain on ketones rather the glucose has made an incredible difference in concentration and cognitive ability. (Ketogenic = High fat, carb restricted diet)

Its unlikely that depriving your brain of fuel is having a positive effect on concentration, but since eating carbs triggers insulin, which supresses the effects of adrenaline, you might just be experiencing the benefits of not saturating your diet with sugar.

Try it. Switching your brain to keytones definitely has a zen-like effect.
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