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Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

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Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#21

Post by steego »

HockeyPlayer wrote: post #4
borgia wrote: post #3

I suppose it's only natural that people are resorting to these when huge swathes of the American youth are being prescribed Adderall and similar and gaining a competitive edge with them over those who don't have access to them. I previously looked at sourcing modafinil but ultimately decided against it due the the sources available looking dodgy, a lack of clarity in the laws around it, etc. As more reputable compani…

I've heard good things about www.modafinilcat.com

Thank you guys for your informative endorsements! I wasn't sure if I was going to spend $80 on something that looks like its marketed to imbeciles, but now that you and the other two reputable HN news users endorsed it, I'm going to plop down the cash.

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#22

Post by TazeTSchnitzel »

omgitstom wrote: post #7
Quizz wrote: post #2

How rampant is nootropic use in Silicon Valley?

It will be hard to measure effectively. When you see the breadth of chemicals considered nootropics, you will see why.

Lots of people drink strong coffee and such, for instance.

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#25

Post by TazeTSchnitzel »

Gatsky wrote: post #23

Massive, massive potential for the placebo effect. This needs to be tested in a randomised double blind trial with standardised testing of the purported cognitive enhancements. Until then it's snake oil.

I was thinking the same thing. For the actual new drugs, I expect they probably do something (and quite possibly something very dangerous). But for the caffeine and herbs... how do we know it's not just the same as a normal large dose of caffeine?

Edit: Ooh. Apparently bacopa has real effects shown in double-blind RCTs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic#Availability_and_pre...

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#26

Post by lumpypua »

therobot24 wrote: post #5
borgia wrote: post #3

I suppose it's only natural that people are resorting to these when huge swathes of the American youth are being prescribed Adderall and similar and gaining a competitive edge with them over those who don't have access to them. I previously looked at sourcing modafinil but ultimately decided against it due the the sources available looking dodgy, a lack of clarity in the laws around it, etc. As more reputable compani…

> gaining a competitive edge with them over those who don't have access to them I don't think Adderall/Strattera/Concerta/Ritalin/etc is as effective on those without ADHD as you're implying it is, and those who actually have ADHD (myself included) are not better at a job just because of the supplement. Remember that the drugs wear off, and those hours unmedicated can kill productivity in other ways from constantly b…

> I don't think Adderall/Strattera/Concerta/Ritalin/etc is as effective on those without ADHD as you're implying it is

It straight up does improve memory:

* http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20521323

* http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20589927

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#27

Post by facetube »

Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA, mentioned in the article) is a GABA-B drug discovered in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It's not approved for any health condition in the US, but is sold as a "dietary supplement". It acts on the same receptor as Baclofen, a prescription drug that's used to relieve muscle spasms and spasticity. In higher doses, it can affect GABA-A, with effects similar to alcohol or some benzodiazepines. After regular use measured in weeks, it can cause a potentially life-threatening withdrawal syndrome that includes seizures.

As someone who's taken it a couple times, didn't get much out of it, and is now amazed he didn't end up in serious trouble: stay the hell away from Phenibut. Or, don't take my word for it: Google for "phenibut withdrawal".

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#28

Post by steego »

Gatsky wrote: post #23

Massive, massive potential for the placebo effect. This needs to be tested in a randomised double blind trial with standardised testing of the purported cognitive enhancements. Until then it's snake oil.

I remember reading in one of Dan Ariely's book that spending more on placebos makes them more effective. (He typically tested people by giving them word scrambles or similar tasks).

Remember kids, if you want a really good placebo experience, buy the good shit.

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#29

Post by TazeTSchnitzel »

mahouse wrote: post #6
HockeyPlayer wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard good things about www.modafinilcat.com

That's gotta be the most American thing ever. A .com website that sells you drugs so you can work harder. And the website is designed to look like they are selling you lollies.

I can't say being marketed nootropics with an almost LSD-esque site really inspires confidence in me.

Re: Nootropic Brain Drugs Rise in Popularity for Today’s Corporate Climbers

#30

Post by jobu »

Gatsky wrote: post #23

Massive, massive potential for the placebo effect. This needs to be tested in a randomised double blind trial with standardised testing of the purported cognitive enhancements. Until then it's snake oil.

There's a bit of science and chemistry involved, but most of the info about these nootropic supplements is simply anecdotes.

The problem with studying these supplements is not everyone reacts the same way to them and things like diet and sleep tend to have a dramatic effect on what works and how well.

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