Part 2/9:
The quest to augment human intelligence is essential to our understanding of cognitive science. Over centuries, diverse cultures have sought methods to enhance the mind, ranging from potions to herbal remedies, yet none have achieved the profound improvements portrayed in literary works.
While substances like coffee serve as functional aids, they mainly increase arousal rather than actual intelligence. The complex interplay between stimulants and cognitive function reveals the challenges in finding optimal thresholds for performance enhancements. Despite over $1 billion in sales of nootropic supplements, the science behind effective mind augmentation is still unfolding.