Notes App Apology from Dr. Lincoln Rodriguez

Lincoln Rodriguez, as seen on his private Hinge account

Everyone, we need to talk.

I want to take a moment to address the situation that’s come to light regarding the brain-enhancing drug, Neurovance.

First and foremost, I’m sorry. Truly. It was never my intention to harm or deceive anyone. My life’s work has been about helping people, and it’s devastating to know I may have betrayed that trust.

When I first got involved with Neurovance and its company, I believed in its potential to revolutionize mental health and cognitive performance. It seemed like a miracle. I conducted my research, submitted my findings, and genuinely thought I was contributing to a brighter future. But somewhere along the way, I made choices that compromised my integrity.

I see now how wrong I was.

To those who trusted me: I failed you. I know an apology can’t undo the harm, but I am committed to making amends.

I don’t expect forgiveness, but I hope my actions moving forward will reflect genuine accountability.

To my patients, colleagues, and the wider public,

I want to take a moment to address the revelations about my involvement in the distribution of NeuroGenix—a drug that has become synonymous with the ethical collapse of neuroscience.

Let me start by saying that I am deeply sorry.

I’m sorry to anyone who trusted me, who believed in my integrity as a neurologist, and who thought I stood for the betterment of humanity. I’m also sorry to the scientific community, which I have undoubtedly tarnished with my choices. This apology is long overdue, and I regret not speaking out sooner.

When the NeuroGenix program first began, I was approached with what I can only describe as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At the time, I was naive. The people behind the initiative were persuasive and persistent, using my vulnerabilities—my passion for advancing human cognition, my desire to make breakthroughs in neuropharmacology, and, yes, my ego—to draw me in.

They said this was about changing lives, about giving humanity a fighting chance against its limitations. I was assured it would remain ethical, regulated, and above all, optional. I truly believed that we were pioneers on the cutting edge of human potential. Or at least that’s the story I told myself.

The truth? I didn’t fight hard enough. I didn’t ask the tough questions. I didn’t look deeply into the consequences.

But I can’t sit here and pretend I was simply a pawn.

The reality is more complicated than that. While I did face pressure—both subtle and overt—I also saw the potential. I saw what NeuroGenix could do for people: the focus, the clarity, the memory enhancement. It was exhilarating to witness what we could achieve. And yes, I admit, it was intoxicating to be at the center of something this revolutionary.

Did I benefit from my involvement? Absolutely. I gained professional accolades, financial rewards, and a seat at the table of what I believed was the future of neuroscience. Did I do this purely out of coercion? No. That would be a lie.

I want to be transparent here: I was complicit.

As NeuroGenix rolled out, and the lines between "optional" and "mandatory" blurred, I should have stepped back. I should have blown the whistle when I saw how the drug was being marketed—when enhancement started becoming a societal expectation rather than a choice. Instead, I doubled down, convincing myself that the ends justified the means.

I told myself that the rising dependency on NeuroGenix was collateral damage in the pursuit of progress. I rationalized the long-term side effects, dismissing early warning signs as outliers rather than the harbingers of something much worse. I ignored the ethical breaches of informed consent because it was easier than confronting the weight of what we had unleashed.

Looking back, I was complicit in creating a culture where ordinary brains were seen as "deficient." I played a role in shaping a world where students, workers, and parents felt they couldn’t compete without this drug. And for what? Profit? Prestige? Some misguided vision of a utopia where everyone is optimized?

I betrayed the very principles I vowed to uphold when I became a neurologist.

To those suffering from NeuroGenix’s unintended side effects, to the families who watched their loved ones spiral into dependency, to the professionals who were edged out for refusing to conform—I see you. Your pain, your frustration, your distrust of the medical community? It’s valid. And it’s on me.

At this point, I know words are not enough. I can’t undo the damage. I can’t take back the years I spent advocating for something I now know was harmful. But I can, and will, take responsibility.

From here on out, I am committed to doing the following:

    1. Transparency: I will fully cooperate with all investigations into the NeuroGenix program. No more excuses, no more half-truths.
    2. Restitution: I am dedicating a significant portion of my resources to funding programs that help those affected by NeuroGenix dependency and side effects. This includes both medical treatments and mental health support.
    3. Advocacy: I will work tirelessly to reform the systems that allowed this to happen in the first place. We need stricter oversight on drug development, marketing practices, and the ethical frameworks governing medical innovation.
    4. Education: I will spend the rest of my career educating future neurologists about the dangers of compromising ethics for innovation.

I don’t expect forgiveness. I don’t expect understanding. Honestly, I don’t deserve either. But I hope my actions going forward can at least begin to make amends for the harm I’ve caused.

Thank you for holding me accountable. Thank you for forcing me to confront the truth.

I am sorry. Truly.

Sincerest regards, Dr. Rodriguez