Hey Friends! 
I do a lot of writing in my work. Most days, I need to write for 2-3 hours.
I’ve experimented with a bunch of different nootropics, herbs, etc. to boost my mental endurance and make writing a bit easier.
What’s worked best for me so far is a combination of:
→ Shou puerh tea (for mellow caffeine and l-theanine)
→ 60 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio (cycling)
→ 1.5mg nicotine when I sit down to write (this puts my brain into “go” mode)
This has worked very well for me over the course of my career. But I still find myself getting mentally fatigued and overstimulated. Sometimes I think even 1.5mg of nicotine is too much for me.
The thing I’m looking for is greater mental endurance without any added stimulation. Ideally, I’m looking for a way to calm down without getting overly sedated.
In the past, I’ve tried things like phenylpiracetam. I love this nootropic for exercise, but it is way too physically stimulating for hours of mental / desk work.
I’ve also tried CBD, but this makes me too relaxed to be productive.
Are there any nootropics or substances you’d recommend to help keep me in the writing “zone” – without adding more stimulation?
Mental sharpness, physical relaxation, working memory, and “verbal” fluency are the things I’m looking to optimize for.
Let me know what you think – thanks! 