I don’t think this is unique to programmers and is a “secret” to successful professionals for as long as drugs have been around. I was really surprised in busi

I don’t think this is unique to programmers and is a “secret” to successful professionals for as long as drugs have been around. I was really surprised in business school how many students, guest lecturers, and pretty much everyone was on adderral, beta blockers (without medical necessity), or even cocaine and illegal stimulants. And part of many peoples “stacks” involved visits to specific doctors who would write scripts with combinations that let them focus and work very long hours. I agree with you on taking care of yourself but it was really illuminating the habits that people sustained for 30-50 years without any spectacular blowouts. Of course not everyone is so lucky, but I never imagined that people would sustain pharmaceutical benefits for so many decades as just part of their routine. Makes me wonder how many people maintaining 4am daily workouts are doing so without chemical assistance. Although I’ve known many people with really rigorous daily routines (running 8-12 miles) that claimed to abstain from everything, even caffeine and headphones.