The experience of feeling detached, dizzy, lightheaded, or having a sense of unreality can be confusing, often leading a person to wonder if they are experiencing an altered state without having consumed any substance. This sensation of feeling “high” or “out of it” is a genuine neurological or physiological response, even without an external trigger. These feelings of altered perception point toward internal disruptions in the body’s systems, including chemistry, sensory processing, and psychological state. This article explores the non-drug-related reasons behind this sense of detachment and dizziness.
The Role of Anxiety and Stress
Intense psychological states, particularly anxiety and panic attacks, are powerful drivers of altered perception. These episodes frequently trigger sensations known as depersonalization and derealization. Depersonalization is the feeling of being detached from oneself, where one might feel like an outside observer of their own body or thoughts.
Derealization makes the external world seem unreal, dreamlike, or distorted. The physical mechanism behind this is often traced to an involuntary change in breathing patterns, specifically hyperventilation. Rapid, shallow breathing reduces the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.
This drop in CO2 causes blood vessels to constrict, including those leading to the brain, temporarily reducing blood flow. The result is lightheadedness, tingling, and a distorted sense of reality, interpreted as feeling spaced out or disconnected. The stress response also releases hormones that heighten focus on internal sensations, making these symptoms more noticeable.
Systemic Factors Affecting Sensation
The brain relies on a steady supply of fuel and oxygen, and disruptions to this supply can quickly produce dizziness and cognitive fog. One common cause is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which occurs when blood glucose levels fall below the normal range. Since glucose is the brain’s primary energy source, a dip causes symptoms like confusion, shakiness, and lightheadedness as the brain struggles to function.
Dehydration and low blood volume are contributors to altered sensations, as the body lacks enough fluid to maintain blood pressure and circulation. When fluid levels drop, total blood volume decreases, reducing the effective flow of oxygen to the brain. Even a mild fluid deficit can impair cognitive function and concentration, perceived as mental fogginess or feeling out of touch with reality.
Severe fatigue and chronic sleep deprivation impair cognitive processing and decision-making, leading to a sense of unreality. Lack of restorative sleep disrupts brain function, making it difficult to maintain attention and perceive the environment accurately. Certain common medications can also induce lightheadedness, as many affect the cardiovascular system, causing temporary drops in blood pressure upon standing.
Vestibular and Neurological Explanations
Specific issues within the sensory and nervous systems are responsible for sensations of spinning or unsteadiness. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, processes spatial orientation and balance. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) occurs when tiny calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) become dislodged and migrate into the semicircular canals.
When the head moves, these misplaced crystals cause the fluid to move incorrectly, sending false signals to the brain that the world is spinning (vertigo). The intense, brief spinning feeling can be disorienting and cause lightheadedness. Inner ear infections can also inflame the vestibular nerve, temporarily disrupting the balance signals transmitted to the brain.
Another neurological cause is Vestibular Migraine, which presents with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, and unsteadiness, often without the characteristic headache. This condition includes Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), a chronic disorder where individuals experience persistent, non-spinning unsteadiness or dizziness for months. PPPD symptoms are often exacerbated by motion, upright posture, or complex visual environments, leading to a constant feeling of being spaced out.
When to Seek Professional Medical Guidance
While many instances of feeling “high” without intoxication are linked to manageable causes like anxiety, dehydration, or fatigue, certain accompanying symptoms require immediate medical attention. If the sensation is sudden and severe, or if it occurs alongside chest pain, trouble speaking, sudden numbness or weakness, or a rapid, irregular heartbeat, seek emergency care. These symptoms can indicate serious, acute conditions like stroke or heart issues.
For symptoms that are persistent, recurrent, or worsening over several days or weeks, schedule a consultation with a healthcare professional. Preparing for this visit by keeping a journal of symptoms—noting their timing, potential triggers, and duration—can significantly aid in diagnosis. A medical evaluation is necessary to rule out underlying conditions and establish an accurate cause for the altered sensations, allowing for appropriate treatment.