What are the potential effects of different drugs on learning, whether this is trying to learn things while somewhat high, falling asleep high potentially disrupting the stages of sleep that help memory or causing tiredness the next day, generally impeding brain functioning as a cumulative effect or even getting the brain used to being stimulated so it functions less well without it (I thought that maybe drinking coffee quite a lot might mean that it could make me concentrate less well without it, since despite no noticable withdrawal symptoms, my brain may still be less functional without it than it would be if that was all it had ever known). I know this is a very broad topic but any information would be much appreciated
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Drugs and learning
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CopperChloride
Bluelighter
I find stims such as amphetamine, and recently methiopropamine make me much more able to concentrate on my learning, and I find I am able to recall stuff that I learned while high quite well. Unfortunately, however, if I take my eyes off the books for ONE SECOND, I find I am also much more likely to wander off and do housework. Swings and roundabouts really, uni might be going shit but at least my house is clean :D
I've found amphetamine useful too, I only use it occasionally when i know I'm about to spend a long time being productive though. I've found with caffeine It can be helpful, but the energy can be less focused with me ended up thinking about other things (unfortunately becoming distracted never results in me tidying). Snuff often works well, but not cigarettes (I usually just smoke tobacco mixed with weed so i don't have that much experience with this, but snuff definitely seems more stimulant and a friend who smokes a lot said the same without me mentioning it). Once after I revise until i was no longer concentrating I decided to relax with a bit of kratom and ended up going back to my studying and concentrating really well (the fact i had drank quite a bit of coffee may have changed the effects). Also with a small dose of valium (pretty sure that's what they were, just sold as downers) i found i felt slightly more energetic as well as relaxed and focused, which was surprising.
At the moment I'm just having a cup of coffee at most, want my brain to get a rest from drugs (apart from weed, sometimes with some k and a few drinks on a Friday and Saturday night), hopefully that will improve my concentration a bit, might start using drugs to help revision again closer to exams
ErgicMergic
Bluelighter
If you haven't used amphetamines yet, and caffeine works for you, just stick to that. Even pharmaceutical amphetamines can be dangerously addictive in the non-ADD individual due to the euphoria they achieve from them.
If you are a textbook case of ADD, not "hmmm yeahh I probably ADD, I should take some Adderall," then small doses of amphetamines (less than 10-15mg daily) are actually quite safe as needed, just don't take it daily. Remember, the point of ADD medications in the ADD adult is just to increase focus to a normal level, not give you artificial motivation. Basically, "hmm I can focus and read normally now, but my life is still a mess and I need to start organizing it," not, "holy shit, I just learned 5 weeks of calculus in 5 hours."
A properly medicated ADD adult should be no more productive than the normal person, who is generally not productive. Too many ADD individuals take 20mg+ of Adderall/Dexedrine daily, and they are just screwing themselves over in the long run.
If not, just stick with caffeine, dude. Caffeine's actually not a bad CNS stimulant, didn't realize how powerful it was until I tried dextroamphetamine. If you absolutely need more stimulation, try some ephedrine, Amphetamine's non-addictive (non-euphoric) brother, at 12.5mg every 4-6 hours.
If you are a textbook case of ADD, not "hmmm yeahh I probably ADD, I should take some Adderall," then small doses of amphetamines (less than 10-15mg daily) are actually quite safe as needed, just don't take it daily. Remember, the point of ADD medications in the ADD adult is just to increase focus to a normal level, not give you artificial motivation. Basically, "hmm I can focus and read normally now, but my life is still a mess and I need to start organizing it," not, "holy shit, I just learned 5 weeks of calculus in 5 hours."
A properly medicated ADD adult should be no more productive than the normal person, who is generally not productive. Too many ADD individuals take 20mg+ of Adderall/Dexedrine daily, and they are just screwing themselves over in the long run.
If not, just stick with caffeine, dude. Caffeine's actually not a bad CNS stimulant, didn't realize how powerful it was until I tried dextroamphetamine. If you absolutely need more stimulation, try some ephedrine, Amphetamine's non-addictive (non-euphoric) brother, at 12.5mg every 4-6 hours.
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dieseldog1
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2011
- Messages
- 66
i would suggest you google "nootropics". The different nootropic drugs such as piracetam or noopept can greatly enhance memory and cognitive thinking. That's why they call them "smart drugs " .
ErgicMergic
Bluelighter
I am very interested in Piracetam! I don't really trust Noopept, though. You can get anything approved in Russia with a little bribe, so the fact that it's prescription there means nothing.
The nootropic market is getting sketchy due to FDA pressuring manufacturers, I haven't found a source I've trusted yet. Caveat emptor...
The nootropic market is getting sketchy due to FDA pressuring manufacturers, I haven't found a source I've trusted yet. Caveat emptor...
thanks I'll do a bit of research on nootropics, as for amphetamine it definately helps me concentrate for longer so I'll probs add it in occasionally later, I don't have ADD and definitely agree small doses are plenty, don't have a problem with euphoria, not very strong and helps me not get too stressed (used to use it quite bit recreationally so maybe that's why). I haven't tried ephedrine but will give it a try, just think I should say that while I'm sure it's less addictive than amphetamine, I have still heard of people getting withdrawals. Anyone got any info about the effects of sleeping with drugs still in the body affecting memory of that day (before drugs were consumed) and what level of use/which drugs could damage the brains ability to memorise?
Mr.Scagnattie
Bluelighter
The only thing I learned on heroin was how to do heroin better...ha.
gingervitus
Bluelighter
Dextroamphetamine really does it for me; I've recently gotten quite interested in them. My friend shares his Vyvanse with me and I'm trying to find some Adderal but it's really like the perfect drug for learning when used recreationally. Apparently long term memory may be impaired with heavy use but only the online encyclopedias are telling me this, I've never heard it of it myself though through first-hand friends or the internet. However, whenever you're on (and above the recommended dose; recommended and under-tolerance dosage subtly increases focus/motivation/memory but it really doesn't feel the same as when it's abused. When my tolerance to it drops, Vyvanse makes me Super-Student. I can ace tests, finish homework easy-peasy, and have a compulsive need to either write about anything (ie. this post) or do something; not doing something sometimes feels like wasted time when sober I'd be relaxing and just being patient. I really dig the slight euphoria from it but it's really the focus, increased confidence, and motivation and passion (to do yardwork, homework, research, read, anything) that takes the kill; it makes me actually care about school, about my hobbies (which this drug actually has inspired two of in a month), about current events, about anything -- even things you don't care about suddenly are, if not interesting, then at least do-able. I understand Shakespeare which sober I absolutely hate reading, I think his work is meant to be seen on stage first hand. I get obsessed with Edger Allen Poe when I have down time. When I'm ahead of the rest of my math class, I go back to old worksheets and do old problems over again so I can remember them better. And most importantly for me, I can't shut up, I'm pretty introverted and I don't like it; amps fix that, I'm positive, confident, funny, easy going, passionate, and open about things I'd otherwise never even think of sharing despite being hugely important to me.
Amps are absolutely amazing for schooling or even personal research (I've used it for both) when taken recreationally; other than that, I can't focus or even feel motivated to do work (let alone anything) on any other drug I've tried. Stimulants are really the way to go if you want to experience learning high somehow. I've considered trying Ecstasy at school and seeing how it'd affect my motivation because I've heard it's a huge boost for self-confidence and openness (which I would suspect leads to motivation) but I'm not sure of it's affects with focus, I've never heard of anybody rolling in school besides at dances (my plan for next month). With cocaine, I'm not really sure, I only know one person first-hand who's done it and he's not the sort of person who would care about school even if he took amps, you know what mean? It improves self confidence and other very extroverted things but I've not once heard of anyone using it to improve school work, despite hearing about people doing it in school. From what little I know about it, I think when people snort coke in school it's to get high and just to get high -- although you could argue an addict wouldn't be able to focus or care about much while going through withdrawals or crashes.
Weed has only helped me come up with new ideas and be a little more outgoing than normal but forgetfulness and confusion usually outweigh the positives for me at least. I don't think anyone in their right minds would try to learn something while on the big hallucinogens in an education system; personal education with hallucinogens is very hit or miss, thinking back on trips I did incredibly easy things terribly wrong like how to get money out of my wallet or deciding driving was a good idea. So to me at least strong hallucinogens may help you look at something in a totally different light but I don't think trying to teach yourself something while on a trip would get very far. However, I have heard of people really liking to read on a comedown and people who take very small doses of Acid and get mild, confidence and mood enhancement which I would consider a key aspect of a learning drug.
As for depressants, they never seem to affect education except make me happier. Alcohol is risky because it's so noticeable in a school system but the one time I was drunk at school, I had mostly sobered up by the time I had to actually sit down and learn but all that I noticed form a learning standpoint was increased confidence. Being drunk has never encouraged me to do much of anything but sing obnoxious songs anyways. Opiate painkillers I really love. I get them in school a lot and just pop them; they don't help me learn except by getting me through a tough day happily. I love them, but if anything they just encourage me to talk to my friends and enjoy myself. The improved confidence never would direct itself towards education. I've done Seroquel (Quetiapine) in school a few times and I never really liked it at all besides the kids I did it with ensuring me it was their favorite pill. It doesn't help me focus one bit, just depresses the life out of me, makes me kinda dizzy (which is kind of nice but lots of drugs do that alongside euphoria which Seroquel lacked for me at least) and makes me want to sleep but my heart feels like it's trying to pop out of my chest. Depressants just make me socially confident but I can't focus for **** when I'm on them.
IN CONCLUSION: To my knowledge and from personal experience, which please note is not very extensive and I'm new to the forum, stimulants (especially amphetamines) really are where it's at for learning something new, studying, or just school in general. They don't turn me into a different person like hallucinogens do in some respects. I still know the same things and have the same opinions, I'm just more confident to talk about it and more accepting to subjects I otherwise don't care for. Hallucinogens are good at looking at something in about as right-brained a way as it will let you, but they really aren't helpful in learning something new that you're going to need to remember in a left-brained fashion. For example, a chair isn't just a collection of atoms and energy when you trip; it can be something hugely metaphoric or spiritual with a good dose; but if you need to make a chair blueprint for shop or math class or something, you're screwed. Weed is good at this too, to a lesser level which means you'll comprehend things better, unless you're like me and pot just makes you confused alongside euphoria, different sensations, etc. The confusion is really what kills it's potential to be a learning aid. Depressants don't really help too much for learning but they can bring an introvert out of their shell really well which does help learning in some ways.
As far as learning aids, stimulants seem to be the best in making you an avid learner and good student if that's your fix. OR they could lead you to write a mini-essay about drugs as learning aids, like with me. Sorry if it's a long read, I only meant for this to be a couple paragraphs but by the second or third I kind of decided to take it in another direction. I get carried away typing things when I'm on speed; last time I wrote an essay on Kony and I don't even follow the whole KONY 2012 stuff.
Amps are absolutely amazing for schooling or even personal research (I've used it for both) when taken recreationally; other than that, I can't focus or even feel motivated to do work (let alone anything) on any other drug I've tried. Stimulants are really the way to go if you want to experience learning high somehow. I've considered trying Ecstasy at school and seeing how it'd affect my motivation because I've heard it's a huge boost for self-confidence and openness (which I would suspect leads to motivation) but I'm not sure of it's affects with focus, I've never heard of anybody rolling in school besides at dances (my plan for next month). With cocaine, I'm not really sure, I only know one person first-hand who's done it and he's not the sort of person who would care about school even if he took amps, you know what mean? It improves self confidence and other very extroverted things but I've not once heard of anyone using it to improve school work, despite hearing about people doing it in school. From what little I know about it, I think when people snort coke in school it's to get high and just to get high -- although you could argue an addict wouldn't be able to focus or care about much while going through withdrawals or crashes.
Weed has only helped me come up with new ideas and be a little more outgoing than normal but forgetfulness and confusion usually outweigh the positives for me at least. I don't think anyone in their right minds would try to learn something while on the big hallucinogens in an education system; personal education with hallucinogens is very hit or miss, thinking back on trips I did incredibly easy things terribly wrong like how to get money out of my wallet or deciding driving was a good idea. So to me at least strong hallucinogens may help you look at something in a totally different light but I don't think trying to teach yourself something while on a trip would get very far. However, I have heard of people really liking to read on a comedown and people who take very small doses of Acid and get mild, confidence and mood enhancement which I would consider a key aspect of a learning drug.
As for depressants, they never seem to affect education except make me happier. Alcohol is risky because it's so noticeable in a school system but the one time I was drunk at school, I had mostly sobered up by the time I had to actually sit down and learn but all that I noticed form a learning standpoint was increased confidence. Being drunk has never encouraged me to do much of anything but sing obnoxious songs anyways. Opiate painkillers I really love. I get them in school a lot and just pop them; they don't help me learn except by getting me through a tough day happily. I love them, but if anything they just encourage me to talk to my friends and enjoy myself. The improved confidence never would direct itself towards education. I've done Seroquel (Quetiapine) in school a few times and I never really liked it at all besides the kids I did it with ensuring me it was their favorite pill. It doesn't help me focus one bit, just depresses the life out of me, makes me kinda dizzy (which is kind of nice but lots of drugs do that alongside euphoria which Seroquel lacked for me at least) and makes me want to sleep but my heart feels like it's trying to pop out of my chest. Depressants just make me socially confident but I can't focus for **** when I'm on them.
IN CONCLUSION: To my knowledge and from personal experience, which please note is not very extensive and I'm new to the forum, stimulants (especially amphetamines) really are where it's at for learning something new, studying, or just school in general. They don't turn me into a different person like hallucinogens do in some respects. I still know the same things and have the same opinions, I'm just more confident to talk about it and more accepting to subjects I otherwise don't care for. Hallucinogens are good at looking at something in about as right-brained a way as it will let you, but they really aren't helpful in learning something new that you're going to need to remember in a left-brained fashion. For example, a chair isn't just a collection of atoms and energy when you trip; it can be something hugely metaphoric or spiritual with a good dose; but if you need to make a chair blueprint for shop or math class or something, you're screwed. Weed is good at this too, to a lesser level which means you'll comprehend things better, unless you're like me and pot just makes you confused alongside euphoria, different sensations, etc. The confusion is really what kills it's potential to be a learning aid. Depressants don't really help too much for learning but they can bring an introvert out of their shell really well which does help learning in some ways.
As far as learning aids, stimulants seem to be the best in making you an avid learner and good student if that's your fix. OR they could lead you to write a mini-essay about drugs as learning aids, like with me. Sorry if it's a long read, I only meant for this to be a couple paragraphs but by the second or third I kind of decided to take it in another direction. I get carried away typing things when I'm on speed; last time I wrote an essay on Kony and I don't even follow the whole KONY 2012 stuff.
gingervitus
Bluelighter
Although I don't know any research done into it, I tend to get higher grades on tests I take with amphetamines; whether that's from giving very deep and long responses to questions or from memorization I can't be sure though. I know waking up high is weird as hell if you don't get enough sleep but most other drugs that do affect memory/learning either inhibit sleep or don't last long enough
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wish speed would make me that enthusiastic, generally they help me with motivation and concentration but are no means a grantee. As for doing MDMA in school 
you're eyes would probably give you away (maybes not with a very low dose or if you have naturally small pupils, dark eyes or hair that sort-of covers them) even if nothing else did, and while I don't have sober raving to compare it to, my memory of conversations at a rave definitely seems less than I'd remember without it, I don't thank it would help anything that wasn't creative. Even if it did I'd rather save it for another time lol, don't want to be taking it too often
you're eyes would probably give you away (maybes not with a very low dose or if you have naturally small pupils, dark eyes or hair that sort-of covers them) even if nothing else did, and while I don't have sober raving to compare it to, my memory of conversations at a rave definitely seems less than I'd remember without it, I don't thank it would help anything that wasn't creative. Even if it did I'd rather save it for another time lol, don't want to be taking it too often