I did notice that I learned much quicker than I have in the past when I’ve tried to learn instruments. Which tells me that my current character build optimisation towards learning and memory is working. That was a good data point to update on.
No, it’s just that my prior says nootropics almost never work so I was wondering if you had some data suggesting this did e.g. by dowing a RCT on yourself or using signal processing techniques to detect if supplementing this stuff lead to a causal change in reflex times or so forth.
EDIT: Though I am vegan and I’m really ignorant about what makes for a good diet. So I’d be curious to hear why it’s helpful for vegans to take this stuff.
I wouldn’t say I have a good grasp on Nutrition either. But spent a bit of time last year making sure I could parry any uncomfortable comments about my nutrition my family might make because of my veganism.
It seems the main thing is B12. Even the hard core vegan types, who don’t want to give an inch to the “other side”will admit this one is necessary. That makes me believe it really is.
What I’ll say in this next paragraph might be very wrong. If someone sees this and can call me on anything I’m wrong about, I’d love that.
Before going vegan I took fish oil. That’s because I’d heard Omega 3 was “beneficial for brain function”. That carried over when I went vegan, but I mostly ate walnuts as my source.
Then I learnt that there are 3 Omega 3 Acids. (I should have noticed my confusion about that “3”, but I was not a rationalist at the time). I then learnt that ALA gets converted into EPA or another chemical. So by skipping ALA and going straight to DHA you potentially don’t lose anything.
Looking back on this, I think when I’m nearing the end of my current DHA supply I might need to take another look at Omega 3 and its functions. Something about it still feels a little off.
Since you seem interested in nootropics, I wonder if you’ve read Gwern’s list of nootropic self-experiments? He covers a lot of supplements, some of which are pretty obscure AFAICT.
Wot.
Please explain!
Oh, it’s nothing exciting. Here are the changes I’ve made since last time.
Started taking longer morning walks and doing yoga
No Tv of YouTube, so that the guitar is like a super stimuli
Taking DHA algae powder instead of relying on walnuts for ALA, that converts to EPA, that converts to DHA and forms myelin sheaths in the brain
Spaced repetition
playing before bed
not cramming practice sessions. Instead playing for 20-30 minutes at a time.
Why do you think DHA algea powder works?
Only bc I’m vegan. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be supplementing it.
I wish I could say I had a more accurate model. But my understanding doesn’t go deeper than DHA = Myelin = Faster processing
Was this purely a question? Or is there something I should look into here?
No, it’s just that my prior says nootropics almost never work so I was wondering if you had some data suggesting this did e.g. by dowing a RCT on yourself or using signal processing techniques to detect if supplementing this stuff lead to a causal change in reflex times or so forth.
EDIT: Though I am vegan and I’m really ignorant about what makes for a good diet. So I’d be curious to hear why it’s helpful for vegans to take this stuff.
I wouldn’t say I have a good grasp on Nutrition either. But spent a bit of time last year making sure I could parry any uncomfortable comments about my nutrition my family might make because of my veganism.
It seems the main thing is B12. Even the hard core vegan types, who don’t want to give an inch to the “other side”will admit this one is necessary. That makes me believe it really is.
What I’ll say in this next paragraph might be very wrong. If someone sees this and can call me on anything I’m wrong about, I’d love that.
Before going vegan I took fish oil. That’s because I’d heard Omega 3 was “beneficial for brain function”. That carried over when I went vegan, but I mostly ate walnuts as my source. Then I learnt that there are 3 Omega 3 Acids. (I should have noticed my confusion about that “3”, but I was not a rationalist at the time). I then learnt that ALA gets converted into EPA or another chemical. So by skipping ALA and going straight to DHA you potentially don’t lose anything.
Looking back on this, I think when I’m nearing the end of my current DHA supply I might need to take another look at Omega 3 and its functions. Something about it still feels a little off.
Since you seem interested in nootropics, I wonder if you’ve read Gwern’s list of nootropic self-experiments? He covers a lot of supplements, some of which are pretty obscure AFAICT.
EDIT: https://gwern.net/nootropic/nootropics
I haven’t, but I’ll take a look. I appreciate the recommendation!