Comment · Wed, October 9, 2013 · Ceretropic
Let's talk about willpower/motivation - anything and everything relating to it.
Original post in this thread
[deleted] · 62 points
Willpower has to be one of the most often overlooked aspects of cognitive enhancement / productivity. As great as motivation in a pill sounds, sometimes you just have to do things (that's the scientific wording I swear).
So, brain-wise, this would be an "executive function", being dictated mainly by the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Do we know of ways to improve its function? I've heard meditation, but know nothing on the details.
I suppose forcing yourself to do things you absolutely don't want to (that you should do, of course, I don't mean like acting on your darkest thoughts!) would, over time, strengthen connections in the PFC. Would that lead to - chronically - improved ability to "self-start", decreased procrastination? Or is there a staunch limit to willpower?
The most popular routes for addressing lack of motivation / willpower are things like caffeine, Modafinil, methylphenidate, and the ever-popular amphetamines. Buut, those really aren't viable long-term solutions. What kinds of things could one do that would be viable in the long run?
I would guess that exercise couldn't hurt, but it's just as much a mental stress as it is physical - with heavy courseloads (high st…
What they were answering
[deleted] · 2 points
Holy schnikes. I had no idea there was so much to Kratom (not that I'd ever really researched it...)
Wonder what the weight of tetrahydroalstonine is - that seems like it would be one of the "stimulating" compounds - that α2 antagonism (assuming it's hitting the autoreceptors more than the heteroreceptors) would cause an increase in norepinephrine release (and synergize well with the dopaminergic qualities of 7-hydroxymitragynine. I find it interesting that epicatechin's in Kratom too! Wow. Really informative post, props! :D
All the opioidergic actions of the many alkaloids looks to be, as far as I can tell, a nod to their similar structures. These compounds probably have widely varying roles endogenously (in the plant, I mean!).
Also, random fun fact (regarding opioid partial-agonists) - Strattera's main metabolite, 6-hydroxyatomoxetine, is a partial agonist at κ-opioid receptors. It also interacts with μ δ-opioid receptors, but the details are (to my knowledge) unknown. Kinda surprising, and may be part of the reason Eli Lilly tried it as an antidepressant!
Endorphins are the key to motivation. Physical activity is the best way to get your body naturally releasing them, and is known by most people to be the best way to motivate yourself.
I definitely know the rush. Another guy talked about doing cardio first thing in the morning, a great idea! Endocannabinoids seem to…
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
I did not know that about Strattera and 6-hydroxyatomoxetine. Pretty cool!
I find kratom to be very useful. One just needs to find the right strain and supplier. That can be a challenge; especially with payment processors dropping vendors, and the assholes at the San Francisco customs port confiscating kratom shipments.