What is best nootropic for chess?
Simon
It depends what aspect of chess you need to get better at. I can be impulsive sometimes and there isn't really a clear cut nootropic for that lol... but if I actually consider my moves more thoroughly I go alright at it. Anything that improves both focus (L-Tyrosine and Krill oil) and working memory (Huperzine A, Bacopa, Pycnogenol?), and also processing speed (maybe include Lecithin) will have some benefit on chess performance subject to how the individual responds to it. The result depends on different things in different people; some people's working memory might need improving, others might need something to curb impulsive decision making etc.. people's brains work differently w diff strengths and weaknesses
Daniel
Would you guys be interested in working together to try to figure this out? I'm really curious and this will give enthusiasts a reason to play, and an excuse to improve. It would be full of flaws, but if we got anecdotal information and some statistics we could make some progress, maybe give some future researchers a headstart, or try to figure out how we can work in nootropics that don't seem to have an immediate effect into a routine that would have a positive impact. For example, lets say nootropic X didn't seem to have an effect when taken 30 minutes before playing. What about when studying? What if we took it the night before playing, or even after playing/studying to measure post-study retention. Nootropics, metrics, and chess. What other skills would we be able to measure nootropic efficacy against? Music, stuyding... Maybe achieving goals in general? Lol
Otto
Once i talked with one professional poker player(not chess) .I cant believe when he told me the dimension of his stack.(about 5-10 different pharmaceuticals)+ (10-15 nootropics)+ vitamins/omega. I remember he was using Selegiline and modafinil along with toons stuff
Simon
Interesting ideas. Even though some nootropics are fasting acting, I still think that waiting for them to 'set in' does them more justice, regardless of whether they're slow or fasting acting. There are some fasting acting things like Study Juice . I still think though, as in my first response, that you really do need to consider the actual skills involved otherwise you won't know what cognitive processes to target: based on what I've learned about cognitive psych and my own experience playing chess it involves these: 1) visual spatial perception - visualising different possible moves to make 2) working memory - involved in the previous one, visual-spatial (yet visual-spatial is a specific skill that working memory is applied to) and 3) processing speed 4) focus and executive function (impulse inhibition - avoiding making fast, poorly thought out moves). Bearing those in mind, you could then think more about which nootropics would best enhance those specific processes.

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