Aliquot #127: The Promise and Peril of Stimulants for Focus
Update: 2025-05-19
Description
Cognitive enhancement is a hot topic, but the best ways to sharpen focus, boost motivation, and support brain health aren’t always clear-cut. Stimulants like nicotine and caffeine offer immediate benefits but come with trade-offs—some minor, others riskier. However, lifestyle strategies like cold exposure and high-intensity exercise optimize mental performance without the downsides of dependence.
In this Aliquot, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Brady Holmer, and I explore the science behind cognitive enhancers and how HIIT boosts brain function and motivation.
This episode includes several key discussion points:
In this Aliquot, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Brady Holmer, and I explore the science behind cognitive enhancers and how HIIT boosts brain function and motivation.
This episode includes several key discussion points:
- 00:01:07 - Pros and cons of microdosing nicotine
- 00:05:11 - How nicotine fragments sleep
- 00:05:42 - What to consider before microdosing nicotine
- 00:06:21 - Boosting focus without stimulants
- 00:07:24 - How caffeine shifts dopamine sensitivity and motivation
- 00:08:40 - How Adderall, Vyvanse, and modafinil affect the brain
- 00:09:12 - Why Andrew Huberman is cautious with low-dose nicotine
- 00:11:33 - How Andrew Huberman uses caffeine for weights—not cardio
- 00:12:37 - How caffeine use may alter dopamine and blunt motivation
- 00:14:09 - Why cold exposure may beat stimulants for dopamine
- 00:16:02 - How intense exercise boosts BDNF and cognition
- 00:20:14 - How Rhonda uses HIIT as a brain-boosting tool
This Aliquot features segments from the following episodes. Watch the full session and access show notes here:
- Andrew Huberman, PhD: How to Improve Motivation & Focus By Leveraging Dopamine
- How to Train According to the Experts
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