A lot of people nowadays go to long efforts to look a certain way. About 3-4 Mio. people in the US are estimated to be on anabolic steroids, which is probably about 10% of males between 20 and 50 years. About 1 in 8 US adults has experimented with GLP-1 agonist drugs. Research shows that weight loss is considerably more motivated by looks than by health. Cosmetic surgery rates are soaring like crazy.
The looksmaxxing community for both genders has gone mainstream and a significant portion of young people are doing it consciously or subconsciously.
People want to look better partly to have it easier in life (”pretty privilege”), partly to be more attractive to their sexual target audience, and partly to feel better in their own skin.
Given these reasons, it is a mystery why cosmetic neuropharmacology is not more popular. In my opinion, how you feel on a daily basis blows how you look on a daily basis out of the water in terms of “having it easier in life”, feeling more comfortable in your own skin, and perhaps even sexual attractiveness.
In the same way that my “core” looks are determined mostly by my genetics, I can improve them pretty significantly via looksmaxxing. For example, I can keep a low body fat to make my facial bones pop.
Similarly, my “core” personality & vitality are mostly determined by genetics, but I can improve it pretty significantly via lifestyle and biochemical interventions.
For example, I can take a low dose of a MAO-inhibitor such as moclobemide to be more outgoing, more alert, in a better mood, and less anxious – to prettify my personality in a way.
In my opinion, life is (also) about creating yourself. With the smart use of neuropharmacology I can subtly “tweak” my personality, well-being, and “how I see the world” to my liking – given that it is done correctly.
For example, whenever my dopamine is high (e.g., selegiline, testosterone), I want progress. Conversely, whenever my serotonin is high, I am more content in the here and now. By manipulating these neurotransmitters, I can manipulate my wanting for progress vs. now – i.e. I can even meta-manipulate my preferences to some degree.
I generally find that microdoses of molecules are more suited to this than clinical doses.
Among them, I experimented with microdoses of a lot of molecules but few of them have stood the test of time, usually because even microdoses were too powerful and non-subtle. Moclobemide was a great all-rounder. On it, I had slightly better energy and mood and I was less “extreme”. However, it reduced my cognition quite a bit, which made me stop it (my experience in more detail). Rasagiline was too powerful. Escitalopram was pleasant but reduced emotional intensity. Modafinil made me productive but too robot-like. Bupropion was nice (particularly the increase in energy) but it slightly reduced my ability to think laterally, presumably because it stabilizes prefrontal attention pathways.
By this point, I have probably tried dozens of molecules for this purpose. Some of my experiences I share here: Experience Reports
My current protocol includes a couple of molecules that affect my neurobiochemistry. I use pitolisant to be about 10% more awake than I would normally be (5mg in the morning). I use NSI-189 to feel stronger emotions (30mg before bed). I use HCG to elevate my sex hormones and thus to squeeze a little more juice out of life (100IU before bed). I use low dose yohimbine to be more edgy and present (basically my caffeine-replacement). And I am also of a microdose of one of my favorite molecules of all time, which though, is too powerful to share (at least for now).
I share my own protocol in more detail here: How I Biohack Intelligence
I am doing all these things partly for the same reasons people use cosmetic interventions for – interventional prettification aiming to have a better life.
Weekly observations
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Disclaimer
The content available on this website is based on the author’s individual research, opinions, and personal experiences. It is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes and does not constitute medical advice. The author does not endorse the use of supplements, pharmaceutical drugs, or hormones without the direct oversight of a qualified physician. People should never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they have read on the internet.