This is really only partially a "Nootropics" thread, but I don't know where else I can ask something like this and get a fact-based, scientific answer. Does anyone know anywhere else I could get a good answer to this largely psychological question? This is an extremely serious issue for me (though it may seem silly to you).
I am a very, very, very bad learner. I have a high IQ (ie, my brain is in perfectly good health, in theory), but I'm completely terrible at learning. I *know* how to learn (ie, I've done the research and understand the best methods and techniques), but I fail to employ the effective methods. I'm supposed to be a good, competitive musician. However, it seems like whenever I'm practicing my instrument, my brain loses all ability for rational thought, and I do a terrible job, and I don't learn anything. As soon as I sit down to practice, I lapse into all sorts of terrible habits. For example, practicing slow is important, but I only realize and understand this when I'm not practicing. That's just one of several terrible things I do compulsively.
I know, it seems totally silly to say something like "I can't practice using method X", because one would expect that I can just sit down and do it. I seems really dumb to me, too, but it's an immense problem which is severely compromising my education, happiness and future. It makes no sense, and I understand that it might sound like I'm just complaining, or something, but, just saying “today I will practice effectively” doesn't work. It just... doesn't. It's like an addiction, and I have no idea why I would be addicted to doing a bad job at something and being miserable because of it, but I am, and I need to quit. This isn't an issue only with practicing my instrument - it has also historically been a problem with other activities I have taken up seriously over the past several years.
I am willing to take any measures necessary to resolve this issue. I would like to try Ibogaine (very theoretical), but it currently is not feasible due to the extreme cost. I will try meditation. I'm very skeptical, but it theoretically helps reduce the automatic influence of the amygdala, which should help. I currently take Piracetam before bed if I have to wake up early, and ALCAR for energy in the mornings on those days.
Nootropics or not, what other measures (no matter how extreme) could I take?