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YouTube Is Removing Some Nootropics Channels (vice.com)
According to Wikipedia, nootropics are drugs, supplements, and other substances that improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals. Many of them are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and some have reported addiction and harm, as well as uncomfortable side effects. These concerns may be behind YouTube's recent decision to delete at least three nootropics channels over the past three days. Motherboard reports: The nootropics YouTubers don't know why YouTube penalized them. YouTube's community guidelines prohibit harmful or dangerous content, including "hard drug use," which seems like the most likely reason. [Ryan Michael Ballow, a YouTuber whose channel "Cortex Labs Nootropics" was deleted] believes it's either "pharmaceutical industry influence" or some other elements within YouTube's leadership decided to target nootropics specifically. "It's all extremely fishy, and demonstrates a continued censorship trend with YouTube," he said in an email. [Jonathan Roseland, another YouTube that recently had their channel "Limitless Mindset" deleted] guessed his channel got flagged because he made videos about kratom, an opioid-like substance that has been linked to deaths and is coming under increased government regulation. Other kratom videos have apparently been removed. But Ballow said he's never posted a video about kratom, and a search for "kratom" on YouTube pulls up countless results, including reviews. Similarly, searching for nootropics, magnesium, aniracetam, oxiracetam, and Modafinil showed no shortage of videos, including reviews.
It's hard to know why the channels were removed since YouTube declined to clarify specifics with the creators and did not respond to a request for comment. YouTube allows creators to appeal enforcement decisions, but Ballow's appeal was rejected. The rejection notice did not clearly state which guidelines were violated, but it pointed to another potential violation. YouTube "included a paragraph that states that if the sole purpose of your YouTube videos is to drive people off of the platform, said videos break the rules," Ballow said. He interpreted this to mean the fact that his videos directed viewers to other websites to buy products.
It's hard to know why the channels were removed since YouTube declined to clarify specifics with the creators and did not respond to a request for comment. YouTube allows creators to appeal enforcement decisions, but Ballow's appeal was rejected. The rejection notice did not clearly state which guidelines were violated, but it pointed to another potential violation. YouTube "included a paragraph that states that if the sole purpose of your YouTube videos is to drive people off of the platform, said videos break the rules," Ballow said. He interpreted this to mean the fact that his videos directed viewers to other websites to buy products.
What the fuck is happening to my country? Is no one above the influence of big pharma? The idea that they're taking these videos down because they're making false claims about any product is an absolute bullshit excuse. Search 'flamethrower diy' and you'll find heaps of videos that have much more severe ramifications than someone discussing nootropics would.
Is there a video platform that is less interested in censorship and jerking off corporate interests?
And if they don't want to host a video of a gay wedding that is fine too.
Oh wait...
Can we stop using this excuse about private companies can do what they want? Or can they do what they want as long as liberals say its ok? Fascism much?
You don't know what you had until it's gone. YouTube is now censoring their users' content at an alarming rate. People who just swear or even talk about sex jokingly see their channels demonetized at the least and deleted at worst. Free speech on the YouTube is limited now as they play thought police, judge, and executioner.
And maybe YOU should read what he actually wrote. Please quote where he said anything about government? Youtube can still censor and be anti-free speech. The only difference is the constitution makes it actually illegal if the government does it, while if Youtube does it, it's perfectly legal, but they're still assholes.
Why do so many idiots seem to think only a government can censor or be anti-free speech?
Or are you purposely putting up straw men because you know they're being dicks and you're just hoping to confuse the situation?
I'd like to point out that the previous post was the opinion of a single person.
While what he says is true, his explanations and descriptions are "correct, but not complete".
Firstly, there definitely are many nootropics one can take that enhance mental ability. As an example of this, a bottle of "5-hour energy"(*) is mostly Taurine and Tyrosine (and a little caffeine), two amino acids that you would get normally in your diet. There are quite a few things you can get that will have an effect,
Secondly, saying "the idea that there is a single non-food molecule that will make it work better is pretty-far fetched" is science by rationalization, it's how Aristotle came up with his laws of motion. A better way is to look at the evidence. What do the studies actually say?
Thirdly, not knowing the mechanism of action is not evidence of... well, it's not evidence of anything, really.
(I'm always astonished that our current medical field requires knowledge of the mechanism of action before allowing a drug on the market. I've come across treatments and potential cures that appear to work when based only on the evidence, yet can't be marketed because their mechanism of action is unknown.)
Medical research has stagnated, for about the last 30 years. The backlash from this is that people are trying things on their own in an attempt to find cures and to make their lives better. Supplements are only one of the ways people are responding.
Medical studies and the guidance of your local doctor would be nice, but the system is simply not set up for curing people or even trying something new.
Go online, look at what people recommend, and do some research:
a) Is the company selling the supplements of good reputation? (ie - do they stand behind the product, do they delist products that are poor quality?) There are definitely companies out there that value their reputation and standing within the community.
b) Is the supplement backed by studies? Lots of supplements actually *do* have studies, and while they may not show the complete picture, it will at least tell you how well the product is tolerated, and whether it has side effects.
c) Does the supplement have recommendations by doctors online? Lots and lots of doctors out there recommending one product or another, but beware of fake doctors. Many doctors will claim to be giving a supplement to their patients, which (if the claims are legit) would be further evidence of an effect, and of safety.
d) Are product reviews favorable? It's possible to fake a couple of reviews, but if something has over a hundred reviews and is received favorably, it's probably legitimately good. Check out the 1-star ratings and see if it's complaints about the product, or about the service.
e) Has the product been out long enough that side-effects would be reported? If something's been out for 5 years and lots of people are taking it... this is fair evidence that it's safe to try.
Do some research and try a "$30 experiment", see if it eases your "fibromyalgia" a little. Done right, there's really very little risk, and it's cheaper than going to a doctor.
(*) There are a lot of knock-off energy drinks that use other mechanisms, such as high sugar content. I'm talking specifically about the product "5-hour energy".