[smoyer]

Was (s)he a body hacker? I've seen people also experiment with nootropics in an aim to improve their output. The fact that it was a boss in a 1:1 is a bit weird but ... what if it had simply been a coworker telling you what worked for them?

[JohnFen]

> what if it had simply been a coworker telling you what worked for them?

That would be entirely different for two reasons. First, a coworker is not in a position of power over you. Second, there's a world of difference between saying "this was effective for me" and saying "you should do this."

[RNase]

Methylphenidate is not a nootropic. If you are wondering if amphetamines and their friends improve your work output, the answer is yes, yes they do. They won't make you smarter though.

[eindiran]

I mean, by that definition of nootropic there are no nootropics lol. From Wikipedia:

"Nootropics are drugs, supplements, and other substances that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals."

So CNS stimulants like methylphenidate (which definitely increase motivation in healthy individuals) are nootropics by that definition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic

[runawaybottle]

It’s a drug on the more potent end of the spectrum, it isn’t benign. Take a few, you won’t even need to wonder ‘I wonder if this is a nootropic’.

[smoyer]

I didn't say that Ritalin was a nootropic ... but body hackers have been known to use both for enhanced performance. When I was in elementary school, my parents refused to put me on Ritalin but did experiment with giving me coffee for breakfast (perhaps the start of my current habit?). It was always curious to me that stimulants could help with ADD/ADHD.

[eq_sd_]

Doesn't make any sense for a manager to suggest a specific drug, especially one that is a controlled substance in most countries or outright illegal.