Psychonaut comments on When Willpower Attacks - Less Wrong

17 Post author: jimrandomh 03 October 2009 03:36AM

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Comment author: Psychonaut 04 October 2009 12:59:07PM 4 points [-]

Arguably, clubbers taking ecstasy and dancing until they die of hyperthermia are doing exactly this.

From my experience, dopamine agonism can significantly improve my ability to exert willpower. That does not mean it allows for unbounded enhancement, however: psychoactives merely allow for intertemporal transfer of particular cognitive functions, due to downregulation of receptor sites. However, just like credit allows for intertemporal transfer of purchasing power, you can vastly increase your utility by shifting your cognitive function to optimal times.

Comment author: CannibalSmith 04 October 2009 05:12:37PM *  2 points [-]

Arguably, clubbers taking ecstasy and dancing until they die of hyperthermia are doing exactly this.

No, on ecstasy, you need willpower to stay still.