Since at least Paul Erdos. More recently, one of LessWrong’s favourite topics is nootropics for intelligence enhancement. Less recently, Terence McKenna’s cri

Since at least Paul Erdos. More recently, one of LessWrong’s favourite topics is nootropics for intelligence enhancement. Less recently, Terence McKenna’s critique of caffeine and the industrial revolution and the concept of a “tea break” to give tired workers stimulating caffeine to boost productivity, and how easily that became the norm instead of a siesta or a marijuana break or knocking off early for the day.