Why First Principles Thinking Feels Hard at First

Numin - Decision Fatigue Solution

6 hours of sustained decision clarity. Make sharper decisions when everyone else fades.

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Did you know?

Repeated statements are more likely to be judged as true simply because they feel familiar. A phenomenon known as the “illusion of truth” effect.

First principles thinking often feels uncomfortable because it removes shortcuts.

Why the Brain Prefers Familiar Patterns

Cognitive research shows that people prefer information that is easy to process. Familiar ideas feel more fluent and are often judged as more trustworthy, even when accuracy is unchanged.

This preference for cognitive ease supports efficiency, but not always correctness.

What Happens When Shortcuts Disappear

When assumptions are challenged, thinking slows. This reflects a shift from automatic processing to more deliberate reasoning.

That friction signals cognitive conflict the moment when existing mental models no longer fit and must be updated.

Discomfort as a Signal, Not a Failure

Difficulty during this process isn’t a sign that something is wrong. It often indicates that assumptions are being dismantled and reorganized into a clearer structure.

Did you know?

Repeated statements are more likely to be judged as true simply because they feel familiar. A phenomenon known as the “illusion of truth” effect.

Numin - Decision Fatigue Solution

6 hours of sustained decision clarity. Make sharper decisions when everyone else fades.

Buy Now

References

Hasher L, Goldstein D, Toppino T. Frequency and the conference of referential validity. J Verbal Learn Verbal Behav. 1977. Classic “illusory truth” study: repeated statements are judged more likely true.

Brashier NM, Marsh EJ. Judging truth. Annu Rev Psychol. 2020. Review of why familiarity and fluency lead people to mistake repeated information for true, even when it is false.

Alter AL, Oppenheimer DM. Uniting the tribes of fluency to form a metacognitive nation. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2009. Review of processing fluency and how ease affects judgments of truth and confidence.

Danek AH et al. Cognitive conflict and restructuring: The neural basis of two components of insight. Hum Brain Mapp. 2019. Shows how conflict and restructuring support problem‑solving “reframing.”

Ohlsson S. Deep learning: How the mind overrides experience. Cambridge Univ Press. 2011. Theoretical account of how impasses and restructuring help escape habitual solutions in problem solving (Overview citing Ohlsson in discussion of restructuring.)

Meet the Author

Dr. Shawn Watson

We founded Numin to enhance cognitive performance, recognizing the critical issue of decision fatigue in today's fast-paced world. Our biotech solutions go beyond mere supplements—they provide insights to optimize mental clarity and decision-making, empowering individuals to perform at their best.

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Rhodiola Rosea

Reduces mental fatigue by 30% in clinical studies. This adaptogenic herb helps your brain maintain performance under stress by modulating cortisol and supporting dopamine levels.

Curcumin

Protects neurons from glutamate damage. Enhanced bioavailability formula crosses the blood-brain barrier to clear inflammatory markers that impair decision-making.

L-Tyrosine

Precursor to focus neurotransmitters. Your brain converts L-Tyrosine into dopamine and norepinephrine - critical for maintaining attention during cognitive demands.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Clears cellular waste from neurons. This organic sulfur compound enhances your brain's natural detoxification pathways, removing metabolic byproducts that cause mental fog.

Chromium Picolinate

Stabilizes brain energy supply. Regulates glucose metabolism to prevent the energy crashes that trigger poor decisions and mental fatigue.

Product Details

Experience 6 hours of sustained decision clarity when everyone else fades. Numin combats decision fatigue at its source, helping you make sharper decisions, communicate with confidence, maintain focus, and stay productive all day long. Feel the difference in just 60 minutes.

Safe for daily use with no crashes, jitters, or dependency. FDA GRAS and NSF certified. Works with your brain's natural processes to support optimal cognitive function. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you have existing medical conditions.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Published Proof in Frontiers

Published in Frontiers in Nutrition | Peer-Reviewed, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled

The Results:

43% reduction in errors under pressure
11% better decision outcomes
6+ hours sustained performance
Zero crashes or jitters reported

How We Proved It:
We tested 23 high-performers making 300+ decisions per minute during 13-hour cognitive marathons. While the placebo group's performance crashed, Numin users maintained sharp decision-making from hour 1 to hour 13.

What This Means For You:
The same formula that helps elite performers make split-second decisions under extreme pressure will help you power through your toughest workdays with consistent mental clarity.

Full study: Frontiers in Nutrition, November 2024

View Published Research → https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1680030/full

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Why First Principles Thinking Feels Hard at First

Numin - Decision Fatigue Solution

Did you know?

Why the Brain Prefers Familiar Patterns

What Happens When Shortcuts Disappear

Discomfort as a Signal, Not a Failure

Did you know?

Numin - Decision Fatigue Solution

References

Meet the Author