Comments on: Are Mind-Enhancing Drugs a Good Idea?

By: dc pat

dc pat — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:18:52 +0000

I’m still on the experience vs memory kick: it just occurred to me that music is always a winner for me. I’m listening to an old German Christmas carol and it has a curiously relaxing effect on me, much like it did when my mother played it 40-some years ago, and I knew it would. It seems like music/art is in a different category. Sorry, off-topic.

By: Randy Rieland

Randy Rieland — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:12:24 +0000

Thanks, Patrick, for sharing your experience with Modafinil. As you point out, it’s most effective at fighting fatigue. It has seemed to help short-term memory in some tests, but not too dramatically. Nonetheless, I think we will be seeing more and more R&D on drugs that enhance brain performance.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:09:55 +0000

I’ve been taking modafinil or armodafinil for nearly 10 years. While reactions vary between individuals, my personal experience is that it is not much of a cognitive enhancer. It doesn’t make me smarter or help my memory noticeably. It is great for fighting fatigue. It also boosts endurance during intense physical activity. That’s about it.

It is a shame that it isn’t approved for CFS or depression. It is a very expensive drug, and unless you have narcolepsy there is no way you will ever get your insurance to pay for it.

By: dc pat

dc pat — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:42:02 +0000

Always a bonus to get some colonoscopy references.

Experience and memory: my memory of the taste of turkey seems to be much more flavorful than the actual experience. I don’t eat meat anymore for the most part but tasting it on Thanksgiving never lives up to my memory of it. I’ve been wondering why.

By: Randy Rieland

Randy Rieland — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:19:11 +0000

Thanks, Joe. Appreciate the feedback.

By: Joe L

Joe L — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:11:43 +0000

Interesting post! Smart pills sound dreamy. Moral enhancement pills sound nightmarish.