There is a distinct difference between forced focus and the flow state. Forced focus is mechanical; it is the sheer exertion of will to keep your eyes on the page or the screen. The flow state, however, is frictionless. It is that rare, quiet equilibrium where the challenge of the work perfectly matches your capacity to meet it.
For a long time, I have explored different avenues to reliably usher in that state. Recently, I added a new tool to my daily protocol that has profoundly shifted how I approach deep work: NAD+ precursors, specifically NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) and NR (Nicotinamide Riboside).
When paired with Vyvanse, the synergy is not just noticeable—it fundamentally changes the nature of the focus.

The jagged edge of stimulation

Anyone who takes a central nervous system stimulant like Vyvanse understands the double-edged sword it presents. It effectively triggers the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, providing the necessary drive and alertness to tackle complex tasks.
But that drive comes at a high metabolic cost.
Vyvanse forces your neurons to fire rapidly, burning through cellular energy (ATP) at an accelerated rate. Without a strong foundation of cellular fuel, that sharp focus can easily curdle into physical anxiety, a flattened mood, and the inevitable, exhausting afternoon crash. You are pushing the engine hard, but the gas tank is running dry.

The cellular foundation: NMN and NR

This is where NMN and NR enter the picture. They are not stimulants. They are raw materials that your body uses to synthesize NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), a crucial coenzyme found in every living cell. NAD+ is the linchpin of mitochondrial function—it is what your cells use to produce ATP.
By introducing an NAD+ precursor into the mix, you are effectively restocking the cellular fuel reserves that the Vyvanse is rapidly depleting.

Finding the smoothness

The nootropic effect of combining these two compounds is remarkably smooth. Rather than feeling “wired” or overstimulated, the NMN/NR provides a clean, underlying current of physical and mental endurance.
Here is how the synergy plays out in practice:

• Mood Stabilization: The sharp, sometimes abrasive edge of the stimulant is softened. Because the brain has the energy it needs to operate efficiently, the low-level anxiety that often accompanies forced focus dissipates.
• The Eradication of the Crash: Instead of hitting a wall in the late afternoon, the comedown is a gradual, gentle slope. The cognitive endurance stretches out naturally.
• Entering the Flow: This is the most profound benefit. Because the Vyvanse provides the dopaminergic drive, and the NAD+ precursors eliminate the physical friction and brain fog, the barrier to entry for the flow state practically vanishes.

A tool, not a cure-all

It is important to ground this in reality. NMN and NR will not do the work for you, and they cannot replace the foundational pillars of good sleep, proper nutrition, and a distraction-free environment.
However, as a structural support system for the brain, this combination has proven to be incredibly effective. It bridges the gap between wanting to engage deeply with a task and actually having the neurochemical bandwidth to do so. It strips away the mental friction, leaving only the work and the quiet focus required to master it.