Ask HN: What supplements did you take that have improved your productivity?

Firstly, cut out ALL REFINED SUGAR! If sugar is a regular part of your diet, you may get headaches for a few days.

A “healthy diet” sounds boring yet that is where mental and physical performance begins.

Solid foods are actually kind of a downer. I try to start my day with a liquid diet. ironically, starting with the GNC 1340 high calorie mix. You may balk, how can that be healthy, yet it is! Easy to break down calories means I don’t rely as much on heavy foods which fill my gut and slow me down.

Easy calories fill me with energy and I take micro exercise breaks throughout the day. These combined keep my mind and body active, which makes me productive!

This, and I get my nutrients from the Health Force vitagreens. The price tag is worth it. A heaping scoop is a full serving of greens. Best way to eat your greens!

While I am happy to see people improve their lives, I am absolutely heartbroken by people like Gwyneth Paltrow exploiting her fame to peddle supplements. Her basic business model leverages the absence of affordable health care to Americans. For example, impoverished women who can't afford fertility treatments might spend a couple hundred dollars buying some over-priced trinket that grants magical healing powers to the consumer.

Whatever you're going through, I wouldn't discourage you from your coping mechanism. I do hope someone in your life can sit you down compassionately and explain that there are no silver-bullet solutions to your problem.

Consume sugar, processed grains, and alcohol in moderation (especially bottled beer and wines high in sulfites.)

If you're having trouble being productive because of physical discomfort, turmeric or curcumin extracts and black pepper are great for inflammation. (Inflammation seems to be the root of the symptoms noted above.) NB: powdered turmeric/black pepper tastes great in coffee.

Powdered lion's mane, powdered fruit/vegetables (high in vitamin C, folates, etc.)... any/all of these things help with brain fog.

To answer your original question: I've found fish oil (and vitamin D) helps with depression/anxiety.

P.s. there's no magic pill and trying to force it will break you the moment you can't keep up the pace... Step back and relax that mind-muscle or, sharpen the saw on something you enjoy to put you in a flow state.

Lion's Mane extract in my coffee, Neuriva, Cognium, Fish Oil and the occasional Alpha Brain powder in water when I need to be particularly alert. I also have been listening to the Huberman Lab podcast and working some of his suggestions into my routine.