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Study drugs make people worse at problem solving, not better

economist.com

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Re: Study drugs make people worse at problem solving, not better

#81

Post by throwawaymobule »

nibbleshifter wrote: post #17
mordae wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tak Modafinil as an example: > The real problems with these drugs are addiction, Not addictive. > side effects, Same as caffeine while active. Irritating comedown after. > and the phenomenon where you have to take higher doses over time to get the same effect. Abstaining during weekends helps. The real problem is lack of sleep it can somewhat mask. > Maybe one day we will get a drug that enhances mental function, tha…

Never had any comedown off moda, even at high doses (400mg). What comedown feelings did you experience?

keep in mind that you're not absorbing all 400mg if you take it all at once.

I noticed considerable difference splitting 200mg pills in two and waiting a while before consuming the second half when I used it years back.

Re: Study drugs make people worse at problem solving, not better

#82

Post by tranchms »

I mean, this is not a very convincing study.

State dependent learning is a legitimate phenomenon.

This study didn’t test those who regularly took cognitive enhancers It just looked at people who were not ADHD and then gave them a drug No time to adjust or adapt Would have liked to see four populations tested.

1. unmedicated ADHD 2. medicated ADHD 3. Unmedicated non-ADHD 4. Medicated Non-ADHD

Then do the tests with placebos and cognitive enhancers

If you study for a test on medication you better take the test on medication.

And if you study unmedicated, you better take the test unmedicated I think they should find “non-ADHD” populations who happen to routinely take cognitive enhancers and then perform the same test.

Would be willing to bet that there is an improvement over placebo group vs medicated group in this population

If coffee and nicotine are effective cognitive enhancers for general populations, regardless of ADHD or not, it’s silly to think that stimulants like amphetamines are ineffective

So the research conclusions are flimsy and incomplete

Re: Study drugs make people worse at problem solving, not better

#83

Post by lapama »

tranchms wrote: post #82

I mean, this is not a very convincing study. State dependent learning is a legitimate phenomenon. This study didn’t test those who regularly took cognitive enhancers It just looked at people who were not ADHD and then gave them a drug No time to adjust or adapt Would have liked to see four populations tested. 1. unmedicated ADHD 2. medicated ADHD 3. Unmedicated non-ADHD 4. Medicated Non-ADHD Then do the tests with pl…

I perceive their main point could be made with a single focus on the 3rd option you suggest. Other options might fall out of their aim?
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