The sensation of “always feeling high” without the use of intoxicating substances can be a disorienting and distressing experience. It is a phenomenon where individuals perceive a detachment from their own body, thoughts, or surrounding reality, often leading to confusion and unease. This persistent altered state warrants exploration to understand its causes and how to address it.
Understanding Psychological Factors
Psychological conditions frequently contribute to the sensation of feeling “high” or detached. Depersonalization and derealization are two such experiences, often described as feeling disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings. Depersonalization involves a sense of observing oneself from outside, as if watching a movie, or feeling that one’s body parts are not real or are distorted. This can include feeling like a robot or being emotionally numb.
Derealization, conversely, is a feeling that the external world is not real. Surroundings may appear blurry, colorless, dreamlike, or distorted in shape and size, as if looking through a glass wall. Both depersonalization and derealization can cause significant distress. These dissociative experiences are often triggered by intense stress or traumatic events, though brief episodes can be a normal response to overwhelming threats.
Anxiety and panic attacks are prominent triggers for these altered perceptions. During a panic attack, the body activates its fight-or-flight response, leading to a surge of adrenaline and other stress hormones. This can result in symptoms such as a racing heart, rapid breathing, dizziness, and a sense of unreality or detachment. Some individuals report a feeling of euphoria after a panic attack subsides.
Chronic stress can impact perception and cognitive function. Prolonged stress affects areas involved in sensory processing and time perception. It can impair focus, lead to mental fatigue, and distort the experience of time. This sustained physiological arousal can create a persistent sense of being “off” or detached, contributing to the feeling of being high.
Exploring Medical and Physiological Causes
Beyond psychological factors, various medical and physiological conditions can induce sensations akin to feeling “high.” Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause side effects such as dizziness, disorientation, or altered states of consciousness. These effects stem from how the drugs interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters and other chemical pathways, temporarily disrupting normal perception.
Neurological conditions can also cause these sensations. Certain types of migraines, particularly those with aura, can cause temporary visual disturbances like flashing lights, zigzag lines, or even blind spots. Some migraine auras also involve sensory disturbances, such as tingling or numbness, or speech difficulties, which can contribute to a feeling of unreality. Inner ear disorders, like vertigo, directly affect balance and spatial awareness, causing dizziness, a spinning sensation, and disorientation that might be perceived as a “high.”
Metabolic imbalances, such as fluctuations in blood sugar, can significantly affect brain function. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness, confusion, and a detached feeling, as the brain is deprived of its primary energy source. Conversely, rapid blood sugar spikes can also cause disorientation. These imbalances disrupt the brain’s delicate chemical environment, impacting mood and perception.
Systemic issues, including severe sleep deprivation, dehydration, and nutritional deficiencies, can also induce altered states. Staying awake for extended periods can lead to irritability, impaired judgment, and even hallucinations. Dehydration, even mild levels, can cause brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Deficiencies in essential nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids can also impair cognitive function, leading to symptoms like brain fog, confusion, and mental fatigue.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
If you consistently experience sensations of feeling “high” or detached, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Self-diagnosis can be misleading and may delay appropriate treatment for potentially underlying conditions.
A doctor can provide a proper diagnosis by taking a detailed medical history, including the nature, frequency, and duration of your symptoms, and any other associated physical or mental changes. A physical examination will likely be performed to assess overall health. The doctor may also order diagnostic tests to rule out underlying medical conditions. These tests could include blood work for metabolic imbalances or nutritional deficiencies, and imaging studies like an MRI or CT scan if a neurological cause is suspected.
Depending on the initial findings, your general practitioner may refer you to a specialist. A neurologist might be consulted if the symptoms suggest a brain or nervous system disorder, such as migraines or inner ear issues. If psychological factors like anxiety, panic disorders, or dissociative experiences are suspected, a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist would be appropriate for further evaluation and management.