Scott Alexander announces a new survey on nootropics experiences, inviting readers to participate in the 2020 SSC Nootropics Survey. Longer summary

Scott Alexander is conducting a new survey on nootropics experiences, following up on a similar survey from a few years ago. He invites readers with nootropics experience to participate in the 2020 SSC Nootropics Survey, which is expected to take about 15 minutes to complete. The survey aims to gather information on user experiences with various nootropic substances, including newer ones that have emerged since the last survey. Shorter summary

Scott explores how acetylcholine-related cognitive enhancers might work by increasing sensory precision and learning rate, while speculating on potential tradeoffs and acknowledging the highly speculative nature of these ideas. Longer summary

This post explores the mechanisms and potential tradeoffs of cognitive enhancers, focusing on acetylcholine-related substances like piracetam and nicotine. Scott discusses the role of acetylcholine in the brain's predictive coding model, where it's thought to increase sensory precision and learning rate. He speculates on how this might explain the cognitive-enhancing effects of these drugs, but also considers potential downsides like disrupted intuitive understanding or increased risk of psychotic-like thinking. The post ends by acknowledging the highly speculative nature of these ideas and noting some contradictory evidence. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reports on a survey of nootropics users, finding mixed results for various substances and discussing methodological challenges in assessing their effectiveness. Longer summary

Scott Alexander presents the results of a survey on nootropics, substances claimed to improve mental functioning. The survey, taken by 162 respondents from online nootropics communities, asked about experiences with 28 different substances. Key findings include: caffeine and modafinil were rated most effective; some newer substances like phenylpiracetam and coluracetam showed promise; traditional medicines had mixed results; dose-response relationships were mostly inconclusive except for high-dose vitamin D; and there were unexpected correlations between effects of different substances. Scott discusses limitations of the survey and plans for future iterations. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander argues that e-cigarettes are likely replacing regular cigarettes rather than non-smoking, making them beneficial for public health despite government attempts to ban them. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the concept of 'funging' and how it applies to e-cigarettes. He argues that e-cigarettes are likely replacing regular cigarettes rather than non-smoking, making them a net positive for public health. The post criticizes governments trying to ban e-cigarettes, arguing that while they may be addictive, they are far less harmful than regular cigarettes. Scott also touches on the cognitive enhancement effects of nicotine and his personal stance on addiction and substance use. The tone is analytical and somewhat sardonic, especially when discussing government policies. Shorter summary