Thank you so much for this wonderful reply. honestly, you don’t know how much hope you have given me by sharing your extremely positive experience.
Interesting that you made the comparison between selegiline and other stimulants. I think the reason for selegiline’s superiority in maintaining long-term motivation comes from the fact that it raises endogenous Phenylethylamine and background dopamine levels by preventing their breakdown. what really interested me is the fact that naturally Goal orientated hard/Persistent workers apparently have higher than average dopamine levels. such people likely perceive potential reward outcome of a task too a much greater extent than the general population, whilst simultaneously being far less sensitive to the perception of required efforts needed to complete the task. therefore, getting ahead in life through difficult grinding might actually be biologically easier for them. not sure if you read my introductory post at the start of this thread, but basically I explain how I suspect to have lower than average dopamine levels. studying is where I suffer most, just started an apprenticeship and my depression, anxiety, Extreme procrastination and lack of motivation have returned more forcefully than when I was at University. from the way you describe selegiline, I’m hoping it will be A long-term solution to my problems. I know it won’t be a cure, but I’m happy to take it for the rest of my life or at least whilst I’m working.
In regards to testosterone, I doubt selegiline would increase it and your increased aggression/liveliness was likely due to increased dopamine and phenylethylamine. The link between testosterone and aggression is very complex and has been overstated. However, testosterone can actually increase confidence and well-being, which is directly linked to its ability to increase dopamine in the brain.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you can find selegiline If you want to use it again, I pray that I can get some for myself as well.