ACX
Link: Troof On Nootropics
Scott Alexander discusses a replication of his nootropics survey, expressing skepticism about the results due to potential placebo effects and biases in participant ratings.
5 min read 711 words
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nootropics
Essays tagged “nootropics”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on nootropics
13 essaysACX
Nootropics Survey 2020 Results
Scott Alexander presents results from his 2020 nootropics survey, covering effectiveness ratings, tolerance, and user experiences with various substances.
13 min read 1,949 words
SSC
Take The New Nootropics Survey
Scott Alexander announces a new survey on nootropics experiences, inviting readers to participate in the 2020 SSC Nootropics Survey.
1 min read 64 words
SSC
Cognitive Enhancers: Mechanisms And Tradeoffs
Scott explores how acetylcholine-related cognitive enhancers might work by increasing sensory precision and learning rate, while speculating on potential tradeoffs and acknowledging the highly speculative nature of these ideas.
17 min read 2,585 words
SSC
Recommendations vs. Guidelines
Scott Alexander argues for the broader use of guidelines instead of simple recommendations in fields outside medicine, explaining their benefits and why they're underutilized.
10 min read 1,453 words
SSC
Brief Cautionary Notes On Branded Combination Nootropics
Scott Alexander criticizes branded combination nootropics, explaining why they are often ineffective or harmful, and advises careful individual experimentation with single substances instead.
25 min read 3,859 words
SSC
2016 Nootropics Survey Results
Scott Alexander presents results from a survey of 850 people rating various nootropics, showing a range of perceived effectiveness and exploring addiction potential for some substances.
11 min read 1,606 words
SSC
Product Recommendations 2015
Scott Alexander offers Christmas shopping recommendations for various products, from balsamic vinegar to nootropics, with personal insights on each item.
14 min read 2,129 words
SSC
Links 12/14: Come Ye To Bethlinkhem
A links roundup covering topics from ISIS dating sites to space exploration, scientific studies, and cultural observations, featuring Scott's commentary and analysis on each item.
13 min read 2,012 words
SSC
Searching For One-Sided Tradeoffs
Scott Alexander discusses the concept of one-sided tradeoffs, using examples from college admissions to life hacks, and suggests ways to find opportunities for 'free' gains in various decisions.
18 min read 2,790 words
SSC
God Bless Longecity
Scott Alexander discusses the online forum Longecity, where users organize group buys of experimental chemicals, seeing it as a risky but intriguing counterbalance to slow drug approval processes.
6 min read 818 words
SSC
Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis
Scott Alexander reports on a survey of nootropics users, finding mixed results for various substances and discussing methodological challenges in assessing their effectiveness.
22 min read 3,293 words
SSC
Housekeeping Post February 2014
Scott celebrates the blog's first birthday, announces travel plans, and makes various requests and announcements related to the blog and community.
2 min read 306 words