why does only Red Bull taste good?

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

I've rediscovered nicotine as an academic performance enhancer - not smoking again, but those little Camel snus packets that go in the bottom lip.  almost functions like methylphenidate (Ritalin), real head buzz and clarity of thought, and little of the 'jittery' symptoms that come from caffeine abuse.  only some nausea.

Good to see that someone else has noticed the positive effects of nicotine on motivation and clear-headed thought.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

I smoke pipe tobacco occasionally, that's about it. I picked up on the use of nicotine as stimulant from my reading on nootropics so I purchased nicotine patches as an experiment. I noticed that my motivation increased quite a bit and my cognitive ability was mildly enhanced: the dilemma was that if I used too much (I cut the patches), I'd be phased out because the buzz would be too strong.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

again, largely mimicking the effects of methylphenidate.  perhaps we are on to something!

It's pretty popular on a nootropic/anti-aging site I lurked on for a while (longecity forum).

There have also been more and more studies to come out showing nicotine's positive effects on long-term memory: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AlzheimersNews/nicotine-patch-improves-memory-people-mild-cognitive-impairment/story?id=15323012#.T5njPNUXTIU

Other thoughts: the main dilemma with anything that helps you concentrate is that the substance can just as easily make you concentrate on something that is a complete waste of time.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

I feel like it would be easier to just use amphetamines, given how convenient they are.

Maybe at a highly competitive high school filled with overachievers.

As for energy drinks, why not just take no-doz? I really don't understand people's aversion to them: they're cheap, easy, avoid teeth staining from coffee + energy drinks and you can always cut them if you don't want a blast of energy.