Aliquot #127: The Promise and Peril of Stimulants for Focus
Aliquot #127: The Promise and Peril of Stimulants for Focus
Cognitive enhancement is a hot topic, but the best ways to sharpen focus, boost motivation, and support brain health aren't always clear-cut. Stimulants like nicotine and caffeine offer immediate benefits but come with trade-offs—some minor, others riskier. However, lifestyle strategies like cold exposure and high-intensity exercise optimize mental performance without the downsides of dependence.
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Cognitive enhancement is a hot topic, but the best ways to sharpen focus, boost motivation, and support brain health aren't always clear-cut. Stimulants like nicotine and caffeine offer immediate benefits but come with trade-offs—some minor, others riskier. However, lifestyle strategies like cold exposure and high-intensity exercise optimize mental performance without the downsides of dependence.
In this Aliquot, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Brady Holmer, and I explore the science behind cognitive enhancers and how HIIT boosts brain function and motivation.
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Pros and cons of microdosing nicotine
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How nicotine fragments sleep
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What to consider before microdosing nicotine
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Boosting focus without stimulants
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How caffeine shifts dopamine sensitivity and motivation
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How Adderall, Vyvanse, and modafinil affect the brain
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Why Andrew Huberman is cautious with low-dose nicotine
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How Andrew Huberman uses caffeine for weights—not cardio
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How caffeine use may alter dopamine and blunt motivation
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Why cold exposure may beat stimulants for dopamine
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How intense exercise boosts BDNF and cognition
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How Rhonda uses HIIT as a brain-boosting tool
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