Comment · Wed, September 3, 2014 · Ceretropic
Seriously. Why do we take nootropics?
Original post in this thread
DocDimethyl · 118 points
Just some healthy skepticism (also aimed at myself)...
1) Why should healthy individuals chronically take drugs designed and tested for a specific subset of mentally disabled people?
2)These are often novel compounds; is it worth it to risk a slew of possibly serious unknown side effects just to gain than a slight and often temporary increase in cognition?
3) Are you absolutely certain that something such as neurogenesis or allosteric ion channel modulation is something you want? What rationale do you base this desire off of? Have there been RCT human studies examining the effect of something such as induced neurogenesis on a healthy individual?
4) Nootropics don't fall under the same production scrutiny as pharmaceuticals; suppose chronic intake of 'x' nootropic has resulted in the accumulation of a toxic impurity or metabolic by product?
6) Are nootropics an indication of some sort of modern mental dysmorphia? Are we really that insecure about or intelligence?
Sorry. Just a few questions I have been thinking of. I still love nootropics but I think its good to be skeptical as well.
Thanks!
What they were answering
chris106 · 2 points
Since joining this place a few weeks ago, I allways thought that your posts were very well written, funny and inspiring - this one takes the cake, though :)
I am at a major turning point in my life as well right now, and can relate to a lot of what you wrote about your past.
And while I'm not nearly at that level of self-fullfillment yet, after two years of research about brain chemistry and noots, as well as repeated trial+error, I feel like I'm slowly getting there- and the pieces finally seem to be falling into place.
Your words are very inspiring and a great motivation - reading this really made my day.
So, yeah - thanks is what I'm trying to say, I guess :)
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
I'm glad you got something out of it!