High Sierra Topix

Here's the first part of a hypothetical question I've asked fellow climbers, but it applies to backpackers as well.

Suppose there were a drug that when taken daily would, over time, give you significantly increased strength for carrying a pack, more endurance when hiking, a better sense of balance over difficult terrain, a higher lean to fat ratio in your body, improved mental clarity, a bump up in your IQ, and increased longevity. There are no side effects and absolutely zero long-term ill effects from taking this drug. It will actually increase your liklihood of living longer. It is inexpensive and lots of people are already taking it and seem happy about it.

Which of the two options would you choose?

A. Do nothing, stay the same as you are now

B. Take this drug daily for the rest of your life

there already is a drug like that. It's called food. We all eat it.

There must be a catch. It would permeate through the body replicating itself through artificial intelligence?

But as Balzaccom suggested, if it's only the food, then I'm all for it.

O.K. Longri,
How is the drug taken? Your description sounds like the endorphins released through exercise.

Balzaccom- wish it were food, but unfortunately, food is a double-edged sword. The right amount of the right kind of food and yes, all is good. Given the evidence of an obesity epidemic, unfortunately it seems like too many people eat the wrong kind of food and too much.

Although endorphins may be the "drug" that rewards exercise, exercise hardly applies to "lots of people" (just go to Walmart and look around to verify that!). What if you were to give people endorphins and they just sat on their couches? Would it have the same effect on your body?

Seeing that I already am reaping the same benefits, I would not risk doing much different, for fear of unintended consequences. If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

This sounds more like a riddle. I'm guessing water.

Or it's just poking fun at the other hypothetical question thread, in which case I'm offended and triggered and quitting the internet forever!!!!!!

longri wrote:Suppose there were a drug that when taken daily would, over time, give you significantly increased strength for carrying a pack, more endurance when hiking, a better sense of balance over difficult terrain, a higher lean to fat ratio in your body, improved mental clarity, a bump up in your IQ, and increased longevity. There are no side effects and absolutely zero long-term ill effects from taking this drug.

No side effects and nothing but beneficial results? That's a no brainer. Take it. Who wouldn't?

That's like asking if you could eat chocolate all the time with no bad effects, would you? Again, a no brainer.

John

Unless it involved some controversial new experimental technology. Then I probably would have some serious second thoughts about taking it. But, if it was as Balzaccom suggested, only food, then I'd be all for it, provided the food was non-gmo and low in fat and cholesterol.

So, longri, what's the second part?

It's only available in one formulation, as a twice-a-day suppository.