Neurological supercharger out of thin air

Some speculation on a neurological supercharger for a sapient alien species:

• The supercharger is a natural biochemical compound of some sort produced and stored in a specialized brain-adjacent organ. Perhaps it's the byproduct of a symbiotic organism, perhaps something else.
• A critical part of the process depends on filtered and pressurized oxygen (or an equivalent reactive atmospheric gas) to fuel the reaction in the brain. This is also stored in the aforementioned organ.
• When in sufficient volume an individual can, at will, release the supercharger and gas mix directly to its brain (the bloodstream feeding it or a specialized circulatory system therein).
• The individual immediately experiences a rush and is capable of intense focus, leaps of intuition and creativity, precise movement, savantism "“ everything you'd expect of something that boosts brain activity well above typical levels. It doesn't last very long and begins to taper off shortly after; once the effect wears off the individual is exhausted and can't repeat it for quite a while. Overheating the brain is a real danger.

Where does this fall apart and how can it be salvaged?

posted about 7 years ago

rek‭

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