Better mental performance. Adderal? Brain Stacking? Natural Supplements?

[Kak]

It just occurred to me that my mental performance sucks. My mind is spread way too thin and when I need to hone in on the final stages of a deal I feel that everything else I do is not getting enough attention.

As I have said before I am ADHD and am not medicating. I really don't want to be on a ADHD drug like aderall (I used to have a prescription) because it is just not very healthy and I won't sleep very well. Plus I got through a top notch business school without studying more than a few hours total (undrugged). So I always figured I was better than most at coping.

Is anyone taking some natural things that really do help? Is there a prescription that is a bit better for you than aderall? I have read some threads about brain stacking and was considering it as well.

 

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[theag]

https://www.onnit.com/alphabrain/

its great, try it out

 

[Kak]

Re: Better. Adderal? Brain Stacking? Natural Supplements?

Does it really work? It looks like snake oil.

 

[theag]

Yes, it does. The effects are obviously not as big as with a prescription drug, but its really good. All ingredients are natural as far as I know. I'd recommend to try it out. I ordered 1 pack 2 weeks ago to test it and now ordered 3 more.

 

[Lights]

pomodoro technique help me the most in life.

here's a post off another forum

"Pushing yourself is not the most effective way of sustaining motivation, because it makes hyperbolic discounting work against you.

Hyperbolic discounting says that the immediate results of a behavior have far greater effects on our brains than distant results. You probably already know the cognitive psychology explanation of this. (If not, Wikipedia explains it well, as does Daniel Kahneman in Thinking, Fast and Slow.) But there is also a direct behavioristic reason for hyperbolic discounting: right after doing a behavior which has differing short-term and long-term consequences, you experience the short-term consequences immediately, and they exert their operant conditioning effects upon that behavior. However, the long term effects of a behavior can only condition it indirectly, via cognition -- you have to remember the last time the long-term consequence happened to you, or you have to imagine that consequence happening to you in the future. By this mechanism, a simulated consequence conditions your behavior.

I'm sure you can see how an immediate, real consequence of a behavior would often have a greater effect than a remembered or predicted consequence would -- simulated experiences aren't as vivid as real-time sensory experiences, thus their operant effects are usually nowhere near as strong.

Throw in some executive dysfunction, and it gets even harder to sustain motivation for tasks that provide no reinforcement in the short-term because it's harder to simulate past and future experiences consistently.

So how do you fix it? Work in a constant stream of reward WHILE you're doing the unpleasant task. Don't wait until after you're done to reinforce -- that's too late! Motivate yourself by instituting a steady, consistent short-term reward as long as you're continuing the behavior. B.F. Skinner put a checkmark in his day planner every half-hour while he was working. (For those conversant in behaviorism, that's technique is called fixed-interval partial reinforcement.)

Since I have ADHD and am loaded full of mirror neurons, I just take a blank sheet of paper and draw a smiley face on it as a reward for any work-related behavior, any time I start feeling ready to quit. This is a more advanced, effective technique because it delivers rewards only when needed -- if I'm already focused, there's no point interrupting the focus to draw a smiley face. But if I'm feeling overwhelmed or tired or bored, it's very helpful to reinforce each small unit of behavior for a minute or so, and then fade the reinforcement out over the next few minutes as my motivation returns.

It looks like this: I'm working on a paper, but getting really tired of it and feeling ready to quit. I look at my behavior modification paper, which is full of smiley faces. I draw a smiley face to reward myself for looking at the behavior modification paper, because looking at the paper is the first step to staying on track instead of quitting. I look back at my word processor, and think of a new sentence or paragraph I could start. I type the first word of it, and draw another smiley face. After finishing one line of text, I draw another smiley face. I continue rewarding every line until I've gotten through a whole paragraph. Then I start rewarding every 2 lines of text, then 3, then 4. By this point, I can usually quit reinforcing, and just focus. Problem solved. If not, I keep up the rewards by drawing a smiley face every paragraph. Also problem solved.

This technique, where you begin by reinforcing anything barely related to the desired behavior, then gradually fade out the reinforcement until the behavior is self-sustaining, is called "shaping." Shaping is the backbone of professional behavior modification both for people and animals, and anyone with executive dysfunction should know how to use short-term reinforcements to shape their own behavior. Hell, it shouldn't just be for people with executive dysfunction; if I had my way, psychological tools like this one would be taught to all high-schoolers. "

http://www.longecity.org/forum/topi...-the-reward-you-get-after-everything-is-done/

 

[GuestUser8117]

+/- 8 hours of sleep. 1 hour of exercise per day(running, swimming,etc.) Eating very well. Brain games...As for natural supplements they are a bit costly.

 

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[InLikeFlint]

I agree with theag, Alpha Brain is good but there are definitely better options.

I am currently taking a stack that has improved my focus, memory, motivation, energy, overall mood, and basically everything else.

I will be writing an update in my thread (Nootropics & I) shortly with an update from another weeks use, check out the thread for what I am currently taking and to see my results!

 

[Xyros]

Come on guys, you don't really need any medication or pills to improve yourselves.
You don't see Donald Trumph popping a pill in between shows or deals, or Lord Alan Sugar heck even Henry Ford back then.

I've never read in any business books that they ever used pills to improve themselves or to become successful.

You gotta listen to your body, if you are tired or lack focus then you need to rest.

 

[theag]

You don't see Donald Trumph popping a pill in between shows or deals, or Lord Alan Sugar heck even Henry Ford back then.

I've never read in any business books that they ever used pills to improve themselves or to become successful.

Yeah, because they would write that in a book. Thats very naive.

 

[InLikeFlint]

Come on guys, you don't really need any medication or pills to improve yourselves.
You don't see Donald Trumph popping a pill in between shows or deals, or Lord Alan Sugar heck even Henry Ford back then.

I've never read in any business books that they ever used pills to improve themselves or to become successful.

You gotta listen to your body, if you are tired or lack focus then you need to rest.

That is definitely not always the case, ADHD is a mental condition that requires medication. If Donald Trump had ADHD I guarantee he would be using adderal.

In my personal scenario I suffered a serious concussion that weakened my short term memory and ability to focus.

Just because I am curious and to be completely honest a little heated that you would say that not taking medications is the way to go...have you ever had a cold, or the flu? Same concept. You probably took cold medicine to get rid of decongestion and headaches and sore throats, and peptobismol for stomach aches...your body was expressing a need and medication was the solution it needed to provide temporary relief, I doubt the OP believes that taking supplements will give him laser like focus for the rest of his life, its merely an aid until he is able to catch up on his rest.

 

[Twiki]

Brainwave entrainment is natural, but weirdly effective for some people. You might want to check out Neuroprogrammer Neuro-Programmer Overview or similar products. This technology does not work for everyone and for every application (I doubt that by itself it can be used to reprogram beliefs or specific behaviors), but it can be surprisingly effective for those whose brains are wired to be receptive to it, especially in altering mental states.

Here's further info from their site that relates to using this kind of brainwave entrainment for cognitive/attention issues: Neuro-Programmer on Attention, Memory and Academic Performance. Of course this kind of thing would best be used as part of a larger treatment program, it shouldn't be considered a stand-alone fix.

This type of brainwave manipulation thru sound might seem crazy but there is real evidence that it can help, Stanford held a symposium dedicated to this research: see Brainwave Entrainment to External Rhythmic Stimuli: Interdisciplinary Research and Clinical Perspectives and Brainwave Entrainment to External Rhythmic Stimuli: Interdisciplinary Research and Clinical Perspectives

Hope this helps

 

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[Xyros]

Yeah, because they would write that in a book. Thats very naive.

They would if they used it. After all they write all these books to teach people how to start and grow your business and become successful.
So if they took one they would have surely mentioned it.

I was actually wrong, there was 1 person who used them, Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wallstreet.

I do understand if someone has ADHD to take them, but for others who don't have ADHD and are looking for a pill like in the movie Limitless to improve their focus, I recommend to listen to your body.

 

[Mike39]

That is definitely not always the case, ADHD is a mental condition that requires medication. If Donald Trump had ADHD I guarantee he would be using adderal.

In my personal scenario I suffered a serious concussion that weakened my short term memory and ability to focus.

Just because I am curious and to be completely honest a little heated that you would say that not taking medications is the way to go...have you ever had a cold, or the flu? Same concept. You probably took cold medicine to get rid of decongestion and headaches and sore throats, and peptobismol for stomach aches...your body was expressing a need and medication was the solution it needed to provide temporary relief, I doubt the OP believes that taking supplements will give him laser like focus for the rest of his life, its merely an aid until he is able to catch up on his rest.

Where you are flawed is that you are comparing noots to pepto-bismol when they should never draw that comparison. What you are taking is a supplement, not a medicine; OTC medicines go through years and years of testing to see exactly what the effects of the drug are, including long term effects and side effects, these are regulated by the FDA. A supplement (like a protein powder or weight loss pill) is NOT regulated by the FDA and often does not undergo formal testing at all and is not regulated by the FDA, so the risk factor may not necessarily be greater but you will not know ALL of the effects of a drug.

As an example, 60 years ago someone may have told you that cigarettes can be incredibly beneficial to your health, Wikipedia says nicotine "appears to enhance concentration[50] and memory due to the increase of acetylcholine. It also appears to enhance alertness due to the increases of acetylcholine and norepinephrine. Arousal is increased by the increase of norepinephrine. Pain is reduced by the increases of acetylcholine and beta-endorphin. Anxiety is reduced by the increase of beta-endorphin. Nicotine also extends the duration of positive effects of dopamine[51] and increases sensitivity in brain reward systems." so clearly, at some point in time cigarettes may have been viewed in very much the same light as your nootropics. Now, I am not saying that nootropics will end up like cigarettes but the point being you just don't really know what your messing around with.

Come on guys, you don't really need any medication or pills to improve yourselves.
You don't see Donald Trumph popping a pill in between shows or deals, or Lord Alan Sugar heck even Henry Ford back then.

I've never read in any business books that they ever used pills to improve themselves or to become successful.

You gotta listen to your body, if you are tired or lack focus then you need to rest..

I actually agree with this, there are no formal studies on long term effects for many of these products, let alone the effects on a still developing brain. I couple of kids I used to be old friends with are pretty into the recreational use of prescription pills including a lot of adderall (much more than suggested dosage); after 3 or four years of this you can see profound effects in their behavior and learning capability, specifically a general lack of the ability to pick up new tasks quickly. The long term risks and unknowns far outweigh the immediate effects which are more likely then not going to have absolutely zero effect on your success in life or not. Sure people mess around with drugs to mask symptoms or maybe even enhance personal appearance but, to me the health of your brain is just not something to take lightly and mess around with. I guess my final point is this, if you want to increase your mental capacity and maybe even become a better version of yourself, do you really need a pill to do that? Seems like the easy way out to me.

They would if they used it. After all they write all these books to teach people how to start and grow your business and become successful.
So if they took one they would have surely mentioned it.

I was actually wrong, there was 1 person who used them, Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wallstreet.

I do understand if someone has ADHD to take them, but for others who don't have ADHD and are looking for a pill like in the movie Limitless to improve their focus, I recommend to listen to your body.

Well ludes aren't exactly brain boosting

 

[The-J]

I agree with Mike, but only halfway.

Supplements are not the easy way out, but a lot of people treat them that way and it's important to understand that they aren't. It's like fitness: you can take whey protein and creatine supplements. Is it natural to drink synthetic creatine and isolated whey protein? No. Will it help your gains? Yes. Will it help you if you don't do anything? Hell no.

Same thing with brain supplements. These things don't get you high and they don't change your demeanor like Adderall (my buddy said that he took Adderall and just sat down and made notes for 8 hours, then at the end of it was like 'Hm. What a productive day.')

I'm honestly waiting to see Flint's results from continued use of these supplements before going on them myself. But I refuse to take any prescrips.

 

[splok]

I've never read in any business books that they ever used pills to improve themselves or to become successful.

"Coffee's for closers!"

Maybe the donald treats his body like a temple, but how many business people forsake caffeine? Just because it's ubiquitous and comes in delicious, liquid form doesn't mean that it isn't a drug.

 

[Mike39]

I agree with Mike, but only halfway.

Supplements are not the easy way out, but a lot of people treat them that way and it's important to understand that they aren't. It's like fitness: you can take whey protein and creatine supplements. Is it natural to drink synthetic creatine and isolated whey protein? No. Will it help your gains? Yes. Will it help you if you don't do anything? Hell no.

Same thing with brain supplements. These things don't get you high and they don't change your demeanor like Adderall (my buddy said that he took Adderall and just sat down and made notes for 8 hours, then at the end of it was like 'Hm. What a productive day.')

I'm honestly waiting to see Flint's results from continued use of these supplements before going on them myself. But I refuse to take any prescrips.

Well I take a multitude of supplements for weight training and sure they could possibly have questionable health effects but the difference is they don't effect my brain. Messing up your liver is one thing, your brain another

 

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[theag]

Maybe the donald treats his body like a temple, but how many business people forsake caffeine? Just because it's ubiquitous and comes in delicious, liquid form doesn't mean that it isn't a drug.

Omg, do you seriously want to argue that coffee is bad now? Jeez.

 

[Kak]

Adderal? Brain Stacking? Natural Supplements?

I have actually heard that drinking coffee is extremely good for you. I dont drink it myself, but do have the occasional cup.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[splok]

Omg, do you seriously want to argue that coffee is bad now? Jeez.

No, I'm arguing that if people are ok with coffee, they shouldn't be righteously indignant about other substances.

 

[theag]

[video=youtube;OTVE5iPMKLg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVE5iPMKLg&feature=youtu.be[/video]

again, via fb.com/bulletproofexecutive

 

[EastWind]

You might hate to hear this, but you are not motivated enough. Work hard on building stronger motivation and developing a stronger will power. All that ADHD/ADD is garbage.

 

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[djax06]

dex for life

 

[hardknock]

Mike you actually agree with what exactly? The poster stated that he would never believe that any successful people used brain enhancing products to help them on their journey to fame and or fortune which, unless, he knows every success story in history is fatally flawed logic. For any common human to believe that no person whom is wealthy, extremely famous, successful scientist, doctor, etc, to have never taken performance enhancing drugs or supplements would be purely ludicrous.

Nodoze was once the top pick for premed students in the early 90s. Even if it was only a powerful stimulant it was still performance enhancing.

 

[hardknock]

You might hate to hear this, but you are not motivated enough. Work hard on building stronger motivation and developing a stronger will power. All that ADHD/ADD is garbage.

So there are no beings on this planet that have ever suffered from depression or ADHD or born with a mental inability to learn?
This is what your statement reads?

 

[InLikeFlint]

https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/yo...-plan/44380-nootropics-i-progress-thread.html

Some of the later comments I wrote are pertaining to natural supplements that people were asking about. I also wrote a 10 page paper for my Psychology class on the topic. If the OP or anyone else would like to read the paper or wants to learn more I am more than happy to help through PMs/Skype

 

[Deleted14762]

Try iDoser, it does wonders for me

 

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