Scott Alexander compares three gabapentinoid drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin, and phenibut), exploring their effects, mechanisms, and the mysteries surrounding their differing efficacies despite chemical similarities. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses three gabapentinoid drugs: gabapentin, pregabalin, and phenibut. He compares their effects, mechanisms, and mysteries surrounding their differing efficacies. Gabapentin is described as subtle at low doses and problematic at high doses. Pregabalin is noted for its effectiveness in anxiety treatment but its high cost. Phenibut, while not FDA-approved, is praised for its strong anti-anxiety effects but warned against due to addiction potential. The post explores possible explanations for the differences between these chemically similar drugs, including dosing discrepancies, absorption rates, and receptor interactions. Scott also touches on the broader implications for drug research and the complexities of psychopharmacology. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents results from a survey of 850 people rating various nootropics, showing a range of perceived effectiveness and exploring addiction potential for some substances. Longer summary

Scott Alexander presents the results of a survey on nootropics, substances that claim to improve mental function. The survey gathered ratings from 850 participants on various nootropics. The results show a range of effectiveness, with prescription drugs like Adderall and Modafinil scoring highly, along with LSD microdosing and Phenibut. Some less well-known substances like tianeptine, Semax, and ashwagandha also performed well. The survey also explored addiction potential for certain substances. Scott notes that while the survey lacks placebo control, the large sample size and consistency with previous results lend some credibility to the findings. Shorter summary