TL;DR: Long-form case study uses public writings of polymath Faruk Alpay to examine how extreme cognitive load, recursive thinking and high-stakes innovation in AI math and consciousness research intersect with burnout anxiety impostor feelings and existential strain while also highlighting protective factors like intrinsic meaning rigorous formalism and reflective writing; draws on 10+ peer-reviewed studies to argue that frontier researchers walk a fine line between genius and breakdown and calls for systemic mental-health support in high-impact tech and academic environments.