Supplements, Meds, Nootropics for Peak Chess Performance?

I suffer from anxiety so I speak to a psychiatrist every 3 months.

I explain to him that I am like a partial mental athlete because of the chess. I have tried:

wellbutrin (300mg 1 a day) +strattera (80mg 1 a day)

I have done these for about 9 months and unfortunately I am not too happy with them.

I am thinking of discontinuing them to be able to try supplements instead, like ayurvedic stuff, natural mental enhancing supplements etcetera.

Anyone have any suggestions or things they have tried?

Thanks!

FM Charles Galofre

chess coach since late 2021 on Chess.com

Natural mental enhancing supplements... you might try Ginko Biloba. Please consult your physician before using any drugs

Hi Charlie, I have tried Wellbutrin and other antidepressants at different times in the past decades. I did not find that drugs worked by themselves, not once. For me, a combination a regular schedule, productivity of any kind, physical exercise, psychological insight via personal journal, priest, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, and or fiends and loved ones was a necessary complement to short term psychoactive meds. Usually but not always, depression or risk of depression occurs when personal life, professional life, and health each take a hit. Think of each as the leg of the stool you sit on. People with chronic health issues must work hard to find extra balancing factors.

Yeah it's not very wise to seek this kind of advise from internet randos. Talk to a doctor. Like the psychiatrist you mentioned you speak to. Especially if you are on other meds.

The breakfast of champions.

But random people on the internet are experts on everything!

... aren't they?

I have been a type 1 diabetic since age 4. I 100% agree with what you are saying.

I’ve had decent results with L-theanine and a small dose of caffeine—keeps me calm and alert without jitteriness. Also found omega-3 helps over time with longer sessions.