Scott reviews three methods for reducing caffeine's half-life to enable evening coffee consumption without sleep disruption, ultimately recommending paraxanthine as the safest and most effective option. Longer summary

Scott explores methods to reduce caffeine's duration in the body so people can drink coffee in the evening without disrupting sleep. He examines three approaches: increasing liver enzyme CYP1A2 with rutaecarpine (a Chinese tree extract), taking paraxanthine (caffeine's primary metabolite) directly, and using methylliberine (a shorter-acting caffeine analog). The post explains the metabolism of each option, reviews scientific evidence and user experiences, discusses safety concerns (particularly liver injury risks with rutaecarpine), and concludes with practical recommendations, ultimately endorsing paraxanthine as the best option for most people. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents results from his 2020 nootropics survey, covering effectiveness ratings, tolerance, and user experiences with various substances. Longer summary

This post presents the results of Scott Alexander's 2020 nootropics survey, where 852 respondents rated various substances on effectiveness. The survey covered a range of nootropics, from common stimulants to newer experimental substances. Key findings include the high rating of Zembrin (a kanna extract), insights on modafinil usage, and user experiences with caffeine alternatives. The post also discusses tolerance development, overall opinions on nootropics, and vendor recommendations. Scott notes that most respondents were from his blog community rather than the broader nootropics community, which he found disappointing. Shorter summary