r/Nootropics • u/WallNIce • 14h ago

Experience I feel like my brain is burning all the time

I have phases:

The Nihilist - Nothing seems interesting, low energy, darkest mood.

Obsessed Maniac - I feel pretty productive, mind feels it works fast, too fast. imagination is blasting, but I feel overstimulated by the second half of the day or if left without any work. This phase needs to do something all the time. Brain feels like it's burning.

I prefer being in the maniac phase, but both are unpleasant to be in overall. And no, I'm not bipolar.

I tried using lithium orotate, but it can make me just too flat emotionally.

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

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u/dyl_h 13h ago

I am the exact same way. I think that the "up" phase is intense sympathetic drive as a result of neuroinflammation. It resembles bipolar but isn't, I think it's an autism/EDS thing for me.

If I can keep the inflammation down then I can stay between normal and energetic without getting maniacal.

For the neuroinflammation, in order of importance:

  1. Keep your sleep as normal as you can (Dayvigo works for me)

  2. Diet and detox. Eat only whole foods, no added sugars. I avoid wheat, dairy, soy, and have recently started a low FODMAP diet with great effects. Mold, heavy metals and lots of other toxins can contribute to the inflammation, so do some research there.

  3. Low-Dose Naltrexone. Directly helps neuroinflammation, easy online RX

  4. High CBD Cannabis. High THC cannabis will crank up the burning feeling more.

For the nihilist phase, the things that will help boot me out of the hole are:

  1. Intense endurance exercise (long hikes, scrambles)

  2. Adrenaline (rock climbing, scrambling, skiing, etc.)

  3. Psychedelics and Dissociatives. Avoid these during the "up" phase.

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u/StonedElephant1 12h ago

Sounds like you are handling it well. I like your intense exercise and staying busy.

I think the OP should see a doctor, get a diagnosis, then approach Nootropics.

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u/astrange 6h ago

For the nihilist phase, the things that will help boot me out of the hole are:

It's difficult to get out of a depression phase once you're in it, so it's better not to enter one. Bright light in the morning and a fixed stable circadian cycle help, but can't fix it.

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u/StonedElephant1 13h ago

You have to see an expert on this one. If it's painful and unpleasant and it stops you from doing what you should be doing, then it's time to see a doctor. Spending gobs of money on supplements and notropics doesn't make sense if you don't know what you are treating.

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u/RvrSt4r 13h ago

I agree, I think not talking to a professional would be a huge mistake

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u/astrange 6h ago

And no, I'm not bipolar.

Yeah? Because you just wrote down the symptoms of bipolar 2. How long do the phases last, and do you find yourself needing to uncontrollably sleep longer during depression but unable to sleep or not caring about it during mania?

It's not necessarily that, of course - could be ADHD or just you being you. But you shouldn't try to self-treat it.

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u/Spydergrll 4h ago

Bro this is textbook bipolar behavior. Even if you think it’s not, get diagnosed then at least you’ll narrow it down that way. I was exactly like this and since I started antipsychotics I’ve been able to be less triggered into either depressive or manic episodes

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