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Comment by Synaesthesia | Hacker News Reader

When I used amphetamine salts I had a few rules for myself: Don't overdose, keep to low, clincally useful doses. Don't drink coffee and take amphetamine at the same time - too much stimulation, plus I don't eat breakfast. Try to eat and sleep, it's very important for your brain functioning. Stay disciplined, if you find yourself distracted try to calm down. A lower dose often helps me focus. I couldn't do work on more than 10mg of speed.

Amphetamines worked well for a while but they started having all kinds of messed up side effects so I quit them and I'm glad I did.

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> Amphetamines worked well for a while but they started having all kinds of messed up side effects so I quit them and I'm glad I did.

So, why on earth would you recommend them (or even bring the topic) here? I don't get it.

I don't recommend them, this person is already on them (Adderall) If you are taking them, try to be responsible.

Modafinil seems like a lighter alternative to amphetamines for people who don’t have ADHD.

I tried a small dose of Ritalin and ended practicing handstands for half the day.

Someone who isn't me occasionally found it funny to add a microdose of amphetamine to an energy drink at lunch. But, yeah, long-term side effects can easily overweight any additional focus. Plus I'd say that what you gain in focus you can easily lose in creativity (possibly more a side effect of sleep deprivation than substances). On the other hand, microdosing psychodelics can sometimes generate a lot of creative energy (some of it even remains long-term) at the price of being slightly distracted for a while on the days when you dose. Also, getting stoned after work but way before going to sleep can work well for getting enough rest and getting your mind of the need to be focused. In general, I'd recommend the last part plus good dinner to everyone and also be more chill, work is not the whole of your life, go kiss girls or something.

The side effects came from sparing use? Like perhaps once a week at most, but once every 2-3 weeks ideally.

I've actually found that a very small 2.5mg is MORE effective for doing work than 5-10.

I do it once every 3-4 weeks not only to get stuff done, but refresh/reset how to "be in hyperefficient flow" where you just get stuff done and enjoy it.

Yes exactly. I was bad and abused them taking 10-20mg or more and that led to bad things, I struggled to control my usage. It's best to do it the way you are.

The first side effects are mental, you also get physical side effects like body aches. I'd rather never experience that level of anxiety ever again.

At what rate of use did it become a problem?

I'm basically asking, do you think once every 2-3 weeks will be an issue? I think something about relying on it, even at 2-3 weeks, might make it an issue long term. But I'm not sure.

It doesn't affect me the same way as it did 10 years ago when i first tried. Back then it was euphoria and now it's just slight concentration. Which is ideal for working. But the euphoria is mostly gone.

Yes the euphoria is the first thing to go, got to wait quite a while for that "magic" to come back.

I was using it daily for about a year or two, and it really helped but also caused issues with my personal life, relationship and so on.

I think you're probably ok, keep in mind it is a neurotoxic drug so you'll want to mitigate that, and your usage as much as possible, antioxidants, not overheating and that sort of thing.

Taking drugs is really bad advice.

What are the messed up side effects?

Extreme fatigue, depression, stomach pains, getting very annoyed, stressed and anxious, smoking and drinking a lot more. There were more but I'll stop there.

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