Comments on: Provigil: The best cognitive enhancement drug for day traders and startup founders http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/ Beauty is in the eye of the shareholder Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:24:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Mr. Gunn http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36606 Mr. Gunn Mon, 19 May 2008 23:30:19 +0000 http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36606 Well, given that you'd have to be crazy to take advice about what you should put in your body from random internet strangers, it's generally said that piracetam is one of the most well-tolerated of the nootropics (the preferred term, including supplements as well as prescription only drugs). It's also cheap and freely available from amazon. Something else you may be interested in is huperzine A, which showed memory improvements in one small clinical trial. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been watching the technorati responses to Johann's rather breathless personal account, trying to counteract the sensationalism just a bit. I think it's very important to realize that intelligence is an umbrella term for a whole bunch of distinct but connected processes. It's extremely unlikely that one substance can affect all these disparate processes, at least in a good way, so keep that in mind. You might find, for example, more motivation or more tolerance for repetitive tasks or you might find increased short-term memory or you might find yourself in a more logical or more creative frame of mind, depending on what you're doing. Don't expect too much. Something that seems great one week can do nothing for you the next, and just because it's good at one dose doesn't mean it'll be twice as good at twice the dose. In fact, it's often the opposite way around! Do be careful. It's also highly recommended to try to read some of the actual research, or explanations thereof from qualified people, and of course, to keep your doctor in the loop. Most likely they'll have no idea what you're talking about, but if they see something elevated on a liver function test, you'll want to know if it's related. I understand that the time has come for this, and until someone related to a senator does something stupid and brings down the wrath of the FDA, people are going to experiment on themselves. Just try to write a little better account than Johann did, please! Well, given that you’d have to be crazy to take advice about what you should put in your body from random internet strangers, it’s generally said that piracetam is one of the most well-tolerated of the nootropics (the preferred term, including supplements as well as prescription only drugs). It’s also cheap and freely available from amazon. Something else you may be interested in is huperzine A, which showed memory improvements in one small clinical trial.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been watching the technorati responses to Johann’s rather breathless personal account, trying to counteract the sensationalism just a bit. I think it’s very important to realize that intelligence is an umbrella term for a whole bunch of distinct but connected processes. It’s extremely unlikely that one substance can affect all these disparate processes, at least in a good way, so keep that in mind. You might find, for example, more motivation or more tolerance for repetitive tasks or you might find increased short-term memory or you might find yourself in a more logical or more creative frame of mind, depending on what you’re doing. Don’t expect too much. Something that seems great one week can do nothing for you the next, and just because it’s good at one dose doesn’t mean it’ll be twice as good at twice the dose. In fact, it’s often the opposite way around! Do be careful. It’s also highly recommended to try to read some of the actual research, or explanations thereof from qualified people, and of course, to keep your doctor in the loop. Most likely they’ll have no idea what you’re talking about, but if they see something elevated on a liver function test, you’ll want to know if it’s related.

I understand that the time has come for this, and until someone related to a senator does something stupid and brings down the wrath of the FDA, people are going to experiment on themselves. Just try to write a little better account than Johann did, please!

]]> By: Mike http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36605 Mike Mon, 19 May 2008 22:50:36 +0000 http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36605 Mr. Gunn: thanks for the comment. What would you suggest to be the best cognitive enhancement drug (in terms of reward compared to risk)? Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll definitely check it out. Mr. Gunn: thanks for the comment. What would you suggest to be the best cognitive enhancement drug (in terms of reward compared to risk)? Thanks for the book recommendation, I’ll definitely check it out.

]]> By: Mr. Gunn http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36597 Mr. Gunn Mon, 19 May 2008 19:49:06 +0000 http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36597 The article discussing modafinil was a little over-enthusiastic, I think. It's more suited for people who have to say alert and watchful for long periods of time, rather than people who need to make better decisions. While it might allow a day-trader to pay attention to the ticker for longer, it'll do nothing to help them make smarter trades. It would help night watchmen or troops on combat missions more than it would help a trader. A startup founder needs to work long hours, sure, but typically isn't involved in repetitive, routine tasks. For deep analytical thinking, you'll get no help from provigil because you're trading speed for depth. I kinda feel like punching Johann Hari in the face. Viagra for the brain? Did they really just say that? What a way to start a intelligent, considered, high-level discussion of the topic! If you'd like to read more about this stuff, I recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Drugs-Nutrients-Intelligence-Neuroscience/dp/0962741892" rel="nofollow">Smart Drugs and Nutrients</a> at Amazon. The article discussing modafinil was a little over-enthusiastic, I think. It’s more suited for people who have to say alert and watchful for long periods of time, rather than people who need to make better decisions. While it might allow a day-trader to pay attention to the ticker for longer, it’ll do nothing to help them make smarter trades. It would help night watchmen or troops on combat missions more than it would help a trader. A startup founder needs to work long hours, sure, but typically isn’t involved in repetitive, routine tasks. For deep analytical thinking, you’ll get no help from provigil because you’re trading speed for depth.

I kinda feel like punching Johann Hari in the face. Viagra for the brain? Did they really just say that? What a way to start a intelligent, considered, high-level discussion of the topic!

If you’d like to read more about this stuff, I recommend Smart Drugs and Nutrients at Amazon.

]]> By: Mike http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36578 Mike Fri, 16 May 2008 14:02:47 +0000 http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36578 yeah, except for when I said emergencies, I meant like real emergencies that are rare (you know, house on fire, etc...). I also know a few people who take or have taken Provigil and I know they are very positive about it, and have had no side effects. yeah, except for when I said emergencies, I meant like real emergencies that are rare (you know, house on fire, etc…).
I also know a few people who take or have taken Provigil and I know they are very positive about it, and have had no side effects.

]]> By: Jason Coleman http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36577 Jason Coleman Fri, 16 May 2008 13:57:57 +0000 http://www.uglychart.com/2008/05/16/provigil-the-best-cognitive-enhancement-drug-for-day-traders-and-startup-founders/#comment-36577 Interesting article. Sounds like propaganda, but who knows. It looks like a legit kind of blog. The author ends up taking 2-3 per month for emergencies, like you suggest. Interesting article. Sounds like propaganda, but who knows. It looks like a legit kind of blog.

The author ends up taking 2-3 per month for emergencies, like you suggest.

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