4 ms·

Here's where anecdotes run into trouble. I experience mostly the opposite. I no longer need to lock myself away from the world in order to focus. I can have a s

Here's where anecdotes run into trouble. I experience mostly the opposite. I no longer need to lock myself away from the world in order to focus. I can have a single, main thread of thought and focus and allocate other threads for dealing with external information. I've always been good at synthesizing 5-6 bits at a time (smaller than average working memory), but now I can perform in the 7-9 bit range. I can start the alphabet from any point, without relying on my chunking heuristics from childhood. The food, yes, the frustrations with illogical decisions, yes. I'd never recommend the drugs to a child, just run them outside until they wear out, but for adults who have trouble keeping multiple plates spinning; yes, use science to overcome your random genealogical assignment.

manjushri 9y ago
>yes, use science to overcome your random genealogical assignment. There is no proof that social disorders like ADHD/ADD are genetically deterministic. Which is why the diagnosis relies solely on social observations rather than biological tests. That is of course not to say that drugs can't enhance desired brain functions.
- EamonnMR 9y ago
  Well, there are some possible genes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/
  - manjushri 9y ago
    From your source: >Finally, one of the key goals of genetic studies of ADHD is to understand its aetiology and mechanisms. The challenge undoubtedly will not only be in identifying risk factors but more importantly testing causal mechanisms. Again, there is no proof, only hypothesis. This is in stark contrast with actual biological pathologies which have proven genetic causes, such as sickle cell anemia.
goldenkey 9y ago
Every person who takes amphetamines will get many positive effects. Increased cognitive ability, increased physical ability, decreased appetite, etc. They are stimulants. So it doesn't mean much when you say they help you - they help everyone. That's why universities are rife with the stuff; amphetamines are performance enhancing drugs. The whole thing bubbles down to the drawbacks of any hard drug -- addiction, physical dependence, side effects, and rebound effect from physical dependence. Psychological dependence, poor discipline due to not having to exercise it as much. I guess HN is with the "carry a bag with a bunch of drugs. drugs have desirable effects." Need to fall asleep but you can't because you are _bad_ at it? Pop some benzos. Need to wake up, but you feel sluggish and hungover? Pop some coke or amphetamines. Toe hurts because you stubbed it? Pop some opiates. Lacking creativity? Pop some ketamine, lsd, or smoke some weed. Etc etc. No one is saying amphetamines aren't effective. They are a hard drug. Drugs as a crutch, are bad, mmkay?
goldenkey 9y ago
So your cognitive abilities and inclination to do hard things is increased by a performance enhancing stimulant? Tell me more about how great narcotics are because they have desirable effects. Narcotics aren't bad lifestyle choices because of their desired effects. Its the side effects, physical and mental dependence, learned habitual reliance on a chemical crutch that makes them bad or worse choices than natural self improvement. Motivation isnt some mystical beast that some people are born with and others aren't. It takes continual trials to gain the endurance necessary to do hard, unmotivated work.

manjushri 9y ago

>yes, use science to overcome your random genealogical assignment. There is no proof that social disorders like ADHD/ADD are genetically deterministic. Which is why the diagnosis relies solely on social observations rather than biological tests. That is of course not to say that drugs can't enhance desired brain functions.

EamonnMR 9y ago
Well, there are some possible genes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/
- manjushri 9y ago
  From your source: >Finally, one of the key goals of genetic studies of ADHD is to understand its aetiology and mechanisms. The challenge undoubtedly will not only be in identifying risk factors but more importantly testing causal mechanisms. Again, there is no proof, only hypothesis. This is in stark contrast with actual biological pathologies which have proven genetic causes, such as sickle cell anemia.

goldenkey 9y ago

Every person who takes amphetamines will get many positive effects. Increased cognitive ability, increased physical ability, decreased appetite, etc. They are stimulants. So it doesn't mean much when you say they help you - they help everyone. That's why universities are rife with the stuff; amphetamines are performance enhancing drugs. The whole thing bubbles down to the drawbacks of any hard drug -- addiction, physical dependence, side effects, and rebound effect from physical dependence. Psychological dependence, poor discipline due to not having to exercise it as much. I guess HN is with the "carry a bag with a bunch of drugs. drugs have desirable effects." Need to fall asleep but you can't because you are _bad_ at it? Pop some benzos. Need to wake up, but you feel sluggish and hungover? Pop some coke or amphetamines. Toe hurts because you stubbed it? Pop some opiates. Lacking creativity? Pop some ketamine, lsd, or smoke some weed. Etc etc. No one is saying amphetamines aren't effective. They are a hard drug. Drugs as a crutch, are bad, mmkay?

goldenkey 9y ago

So your cognitive abilities and inclination to do hard things is increased by a performance enhancing stimulant? Tell me more about how great narcotics are because they have desirable effects. Narcotics aren't bad lifestyle choices because of their desired effects. Its the side effects, physical and mental dependence, learned habitual reliance on a chemical crutch that makes them bad or worse choices than natural self improvement. Motivation isnt some mystical beast that some people are born with and others aren't. It takes continual trials to gain the endurance necessary to do hard, unmotivated work.