The Drugs Young Bankers Use to Get Through the Day–and Night

https://www.wsj.com/finance/banking/young-banker-finance-adhd-medication-adderall-d578a16f

by mancerayder • 2 years ago

25 23 2 years ago

bookofjoe• 2 years ago

ChiMan• 2 years ago

Best drug suite for productivity: Copious running and moderate weights and calisthenics; moderate coffee, including occasional midday coffee with L-theanine; a protein-rich diet with minimal sugar and carbs generally; in bed by 9:30. If your job doesn’t allow enough time for these minimal investments in your productivity, then get a different job. Don’t waste your life working for fools, or competing with them.

BobbyJo2• 2 years ago

Have you tried the others? I don't mean to be facetious, and I think you're correct in terms of long term sustainability and health, but, unless you've tried the drugs or are citing a paper, there isn't much substance yo your assertion.

You're also overlooking the affect of stacking drugs on top of all the other things you list.

sabbaticaldev2• 2 years ago

same thing can be said about the opposite. People addicted to drugs to be productive, have they tried GP strategy?

you're also overlooking the affect of stacking drugs on top of all the other things you list.

that’s an exception, people looking for shortcuts won’t take the long route

potatoicecoffee• 2 years ago

productivity isn't worth forcing yourself to have a toddlers bedtime

mikemcquaid• 2 years ago

Living longer, being stronger and being happier all make it worth it, though.

Havoc• 2 years ago

in bed by 9:30

That may be a touch optimistic for the crowd in question.

sabbaticaldev2• 2 years ago

People change (as we get older?)

mancerayder2• 2 years ago

I agree that exercise is a great psychological benefit.

But at a certain age you're exhausted more easily and recover less well. I say this as very active middle-aged weightlifter (who gets more joint pain from running but that's besides the point).

But maybe since this article talks about people in their 20s mostly, including I think 30s, your advice us definitely worth following.

But if you need something to work 20 hr days on deals, I dunno, maybe don't do that.

Or maybe do it with a fixed goal - save $x. I think a lot of the people in the articles are addicted to work, though! I'm lucky in that I never had that issue.

soared• 2 years ago

For a couple of days of the week, it was very regularly a 20-22 hour day.

I do not believe this and it seems disingenuous for an author to quote that as fact without at least a little bit of scrutiny.

fragmede• 2 years ago

Investment bankers work 100 hour per weeks as needed during deals, which is how you get 20 hour days. 60-80 is the usual pace though. Investopedia has an article on this but there are plenty more. That isn't proof this particular person did this, but should at least make it believable.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/111715/d...

csvm• 2 years ago

100 hours per 5-day week is a lot different than 100 hours per 7-day week.

Wytwwww• 2 years ago

, but should at least make it believable. How is it physically possible? No person could survive working 20 hour per day for any at least slightly extended amount of time without some extreme consequences.

I assume they weren't actually working all the time but just basically "living" in the office an not actually engaging in anything productive for more than 10-12 hours.

Then again.. I'm sure that I don't really have what it takes to be an investment banker nor do I know how being hopped up on amphetamines all the time feels so maybe they do actually "work" >100 hours per week.

rakejake2• 2 years ago

I wonder why the jobs demand such long hours. Where are the deadlines coming from? Is there something in the banking sector that necessitates this level of pressure and work hours or is it a problem of the "partner-model" where a lot of people are hired at lower levels and then the carrot of "becoming a partner earning big bucks" is dangled in front of them to make them work like mules and then take the ones who survive?

My knowledge of the banking and consulting industry tells me it is the latter although someone from inside can correct me if I'm wrong.

dyauspitr2• 2 years ago

I would hazard that you need to act quickly when you receive new information to capitalize on it.

rakejake2• 2 years ago

Is it so? I imagine trading worked this way upto the late 90s, but today with algos running the show, is it still true?

aaron695• 2 years ago

Why not Modafinil? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil

I would have thought that would be first preference. But not sure.

bloqs• 2 years ago

Because modafinil has a particularly nasty set of side effects for some people, and doesnt wear off when you need it to so you can actually rest

renewiltord2• 2 years ago

Effect is far weaker. For me, other reason was it gave me crazy hives. Entire body red post hot shower. Religious experience when the hot water hit.

The Drugs Young Bankers Use to Get Through the Day–and Night

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