6 ms·

Essentially you just said: > Supplementation could hypothetically improve the cognitive ability of dogs. But it could never make them as smart as humans. > Th

by msane 13y ago

Essentially you just said: > Supplementation could hypothetically improve the cognitive ability of dogs. But it could never make them as smart as humans. > The same goes for humans. Supplementation could never improve their cognitive abilities. I suppose maybe this shoddy little syllogism would be forgivable if you haven't had your coffee yet this morning.

judk 13y ago
coffee would help, if supplements can improve cognitive ability.
- msane 13y ago
  A little distraction for the Larry David file: It's annoying when you make a joke, and someone points out the joke as if you are unaware you are even making it. It's like they are simultaneously usurping credit for the wittiness, and insulting the intelligence of the originator. Why improve your cognitive ability at all, it's smart to be dumb. And how about the food they serve on airplanes? Come on am I right?
gwern 13y ago
> I suppose maybe this shoddy little syllogism would be forgivable if you haven't had your coffee yet this morning. Caffeine may not be improving his intelligence, but removing damage ie. withdrawal. (And so about as surprising as 'lack of sleep deprivation increases intelligence!' or 'lack of iodine deficiency increases intelligence!') This is one of the challenges of studying addictive stimulants: how do you know whether, for experienced tolerant users, the apparent benefits are genuine benefits or just treating withdrawal?
- msane 13y ago
  It's a really interesting question. I'm looking askew at the coffee cup in front of me. I suppose it makes the most sense for studies to begin prior to first exposure; to have data on subjects going back perhaps even as long as it takes for them to become tolerant. I suppose factoring out the effect of learning for a long-term study which involves cognitive tests is it's own challenge as well? I'm enjoying http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics#caffeine http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics#caffeine now :)

by msane 13y ago

judk 13y ago

coffee would help, if supplements can improve cognitive ability.

msane 13y ago
A little distraction for the Larry David file: It's annoying when you make a joke, and someone points out the joke as if you are unaware you are even making it. It's like they are simultaneously usurping credit for the wittiness, and insulting the intelligence of the originator. Why improve your cognitive ability at all, it's smart to be dumb. And how about the food they serve on airplanes? Come on am I right?

gwern 13y ago

> I suppose maybe this shoddy little syllogism would be forgivable if you haven't had your coffee yet this morning. Caffeine may not be improving his intelligence, but removing damage ie. withdrawal. (And so about as surprising as 'lack of sleep deprivation increases intelligence!' or 'lack of iodine deficiency increases intelligence!') This is one of the challenges of studying addictive stimulants: how do you know whether, for experienced tolerant users, the apparent benefits are genuine benefits or just treating withdrawal?

msane 13y ago
It's a really interesting question. I'm looking askew at the coffee cup in front of me. I suppose it makes the most sense for studies to begin prior to first exposure; to have data on subjects going back perhaps even as long as it takes for them to become tolerant. I suppose factoring out the effect of learning for a long-term study which involves cognitive tests is it's own challenge as well? I'm enjoying http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics#caffeine http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics#caffeine now :)