[throwawayqdhd]

When I was slightly younger (I'm 29 right now), I must have tried most nootropics imaginable, including microdosing LSD (slightly pleasant) and modafinil (worthless). I was looking for that "magic bullet" that would make me more focused and productive.

Nothing really worked.

What did work was waking up early and working out regularly. I sleep by 11 and wake up by 6. I get at least two hours of work in before hitting the gym for 45-60 minutes.

I manage to get far, far more work done than any Nootropic I ever tried.

[xor1]

I tried lots of nootropics as a young adult too, with no effect as well.

Coffee doesn't help me focus by itself, quite the opposite actually. I wish it did because I LOVE coffee. I don't know what's wrong with me, since plenty of other people I know can use it to focus, while I just end up feeling inpatient and restless.

I got my first prescription for adderall in 2013. I was started at 30 mg XR and 20 IR, which is kind of ridiculous. I'm still amazed that this is considered a low-average dosage for lots of Americans. I took those a few times only, dumped my pills, then over the next few months worked my way down to 10 XR/5 IR, which I've been at ever since.

I know I'm reducing my lifespan by using them, but it's a deal with the devil that's ultimately worth it for me. I'll take ~5 less years of living as a geriatric in exchange for being able to better provide for a family.

[repsak]

Caffeine + l-theanine is the way to go if you feel "inpatient and restless" on coffee alone!

You could start with an even split then adjust the ratio depending on how you feel.

[xor1]

I've never tried l-theanine at all, so I'll try this. Thanks!

[frankzinger]

> I'll take ~5 less years of living as a geriatric in exchange for being able to better provide for a family.

Depending on the side-effects you may well end up losing 5 healthy years. Ie, become a geriatric 5 years earlier, effectively spending the exact same amount of time as one.

[spiralx]

> I know I'm reducing my lifespan by using them, ...

You are? That's something I've not heard about before. Methamphetamine is neurotoxic, but not dextroamphetamine, which is what Adderall is.

[dolzenko]

> I'll take ~5 less years of living as a geriatric in exchange for being able to better provide for a family.

Kind of a tradeoff you won't expect to be made in 1st world countries...

[andai]

Honestly sounds like a net positive to me. Trade some pant-shitting for some ass-kicking.