Has anyone else with bipolar disorder noticed this when tripping -- on ANYTHING?

[phew]

Mania seems to be produced by any psychoactive substance regardless of that substance's enjoyability. This might be why those of us with bipolar disorder seem to find some merit in nearly every substance.

For those of you who don't have bipolar disorder or don't know anyone with bipolar disorder (who uses psychoactives), this basically means that people with the disorder will always get more from tripping on any given substance than a normal person would. Essentially, their brain will be stimulated just enough to produce a state of mania which has effects and benefits of its own. Bipolar individuals often enjoy the state of mania MORE THAN THEY ENJOY BEING HIGH (think Charlie Sheen), so even if the drug itself is a terrible experience, they will still return to the drug if it produces mania.

I came up with this hypothesis after questioning my long-term use of OTC drugs which have many unpleasant side effects. I realized that I was receiving far more benefits from doing these drugs than nearly everyone else. I'd have many creative ideas, I'd be restless, I'd talk and sing at length, I'd be energetic and up, while everyone else would experience the exact opposite. It never occurred to me before that my bipolar disorder (I have been diagnosed bipolar by 3 separate psychiatrists and I've had 1 therapist agree with those diagnoses) was the reason why I enjoyed so many atypical experiences.

I'm the type of person who could get really altered from caffeine and nicotine. Not because of excessive consumption, but because anything psychoactive will make me manic, and being manic is a state that I enjoy just as much or more than tripping. It's not like tripping or being high, but it's DEFINITELY NOT SOBRIETY. It's a kind of psychosis. It can be negative or positive. For me, it's positive. It's a great state to be in if you have any artistic/intellectual skill. But without an outlet, I can see how it can be seen as negative (or as just a social booster).

Does anyone else here have bipolar disorder? If so, what have your experiences with psychoactives been like in contrast to "normals"?

 

[HofmannBlotter]

I think I may have bipolar disorder. When reading your trip, i experiment the same symptoms ! I always trip more deeply than my pals (with the same dosage). I'm also altered from Nicotine or Caffeine. Would like to hear reviews too

 

[Korn3x]

^^
could you guys elaborate a little more on what you mean by "altered"? this sounds like a very interesting subject

 

[pharmakos]

i've never been diagnosed as bipolar (though it wouldn't surprise me if i saw a shrink and he labelled me as a manic-depressive), but i definitely enjoy the mania that DXM produces in the days afterwards more than i do enjoy the trip itself

 

[Heroin Girl]

My bff is diagnosed bipolar, seems to have a lot of trouble tripping and requires higher doses for most drugs. Seems to lead to a depressive state if it's too low of a dose.

 

[pharmakos]

My bff is diagnosed bipolar, seems to have a lot of trouble tripping and requires higher doses for most drugs. Seems to lead to a depressive state if it's too low of a dose.

i've known those types... if they only have a single gram of weed or a single hit of acid they are more depressed than they were with nothing... honestly don't know what to do about those people i've got a couple good friends that get like that...

a few more thoughts for the OP... not quite any drug does that for me, but lots do (DOI is a big one i remember that worked)... DXM is definitely the most effective drug at my disposal that produces that effect... and MXE did not effectively substitute for DXM in me (for that effect anyway, i definitely tripped balls lol)

 

[McStoni]

Bipolar individuals often enjoy the state of mania MORE THAN THEY ENJOY BEING HIGH

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder with multi-phasic cycling and I have to say, that I do agree with this. I know exactly what you're saying. Honestly, I don't think I've ever experience a 'normal' mood stage. Mania is the greatest feeling in the world, I haven't found anything that can compare to that on top of the world feeling except the first time I ever tried dope. TBH, the last time I experimented with that was a few months back and I didn't get all tweeked, I felt...'normal', the way I feel when I'm on my medication regularly. That's the only way I can describe the feeling.

this basically means that people with the disorder will always get more from tripping on any given substance than a normal person would.

This, too. I agree. I always thought it was just me because I'm a small person but looking back on what substances I've tried and how much, it makes a lot of sense. I have greater effects when taking the same dose's as my peers and then I like the feelings so much, I dose higher. The first time I tried E is a good example, I ended up taking 4. My comedown from shrooms was a lot different than any stories I've heard, too. Any feel good substance has a greater effect on us. I haven't been taking my medication for the past few weeks and so far I've been in great moods everyday (knock on wood). I'm a daily coffee drinker, I drink through-out the whole day up to an hour before I head to bed. I also smoke cigarettes habitually. They bring me up but not so high up that I feel like a tweeker, which is a good thing because I've been there naturally and that's when mania is not fun at all.

 

[phew]

^^
could you guys elaborate a little more on what you mean by "altered"? this sounds like a very interesting subject

Directly from Wikipedia, because it would just take too much effort to fully explain myself:

Mania, the presence of which is a criterion for certain psychiatric diagnoses, is a state of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, arousal, and/ or energy levels.[1] In a sense, it is the opposite of depression. The word derives from the Greek "μανία" (mania), "madness, frenzy"[2] and that from the verb "μαίνομαι" (mainomai), "to be mad, to rage, to be furious".[3]

In addition to mood disorders, individuals may exhibit manic behavior as a result of drug intoxication (notably stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine), medication side effects (notably steroids), or malignancy. However, mania is most often associated with bipolar disorder, where episodes of mania may alternate with episodes of major depression. Gelder, Mayou and Geddes (2005) suggests that it is vital that mania is predicted in the early stages because the patient becomes reluctant to comply to the treatment. The criteria for bipolar do not include depressive episodes and the presence of mania in the absence of depressive episodes is sufficient for a diagnosis. Regardless, even those who never experience depression experience cyclical changes in mood. These cycles are often affected by changes in sleep cycle (too much or too little), diurnal rhythms and environmental stressors.

Mania varies in intensity, from mild mania known as hypomania to full-blown mania with psychotic features including hallucinations, delusion of grandeur, suspiciousness, catatonic behavior, aggression, and a preoccupation with thoughts and schemes that may lead to self neglect.[4] Since mania and hypomania have also been associated with creativity and artistic talent,[5] it is not always the case that the clearly manic bipolar person will need or want medical assistance; such people will often either retain sufficient amount of control to function normally or be unaware that they have "gone manic" severely enough to be committed or to commit themselves ('commitment' means admission to a psychiatric facility). Manic individuals can often be mistaken for being on drugs or other mind-altering substances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mania

I think I should state that Hypomania is possibly more accurate to myself (and to the others who have posted) than Mania. Full-blown mania is not that great, and it can be quite fucked up to experience it. Hypomania, as stated in the article:

Hypomania
Main article: Hypomania

Hypomania is a lowered state of mania that does little to impair function or decrease quality of life[6]. In hypomania there is less need for sleep, and both goal-motivated behavior and metabolism increase. Though the elevated mood and energy level typical of hypomania could be seen as a benefit, mania itself generally has many undesirable consequences including suicidal tendencies.

Mania = full-blown psychosis
Hypomania = not quite psychosis

Entering Mania as a result of drugs could lead to being institutionalized. That has happened to me. Entering Hypomania is not severe enough to warrant that, so you get to walk around slightly crazy but way more creative and energetic. This happens to me frequently, and luckily, I don't get placed in a psychiatric ward every time it does.

I think I should search for some Youtube videos that properly show the states and their differences to show people why I even made this thread.

 

[shishigami]

I have a friend who is a bit of something (not BPD), perhaps ADD, some social issues, and when he does drugs he fucks up hard.

I've had him practically pass out from weed where everyone else who smoked is completely fine. Shrooms mess with his mind real bad. The first time it was PCP like stupor where he had no idea what he was doing or where he was. He thought he was on a tropical island. It was 10* F out. He was unintelligible and a friend of mine remarked that if he saw him on the street he would have called the cops. Second time we did shrooms he was better but still completely out of control.

 

[methoxetaman]

Oh my god....

I read this and it's like youre describing myself (in my dreams)

I believe I am bipolar and so do a few doctors and friends of mine...

I have benefited from every psychoactive substance ever put into my body.

I used to chug mountain dew for the caffeine and it would be the most amazing thing ever.

Cigarettes get me higher than a kite

I've consumed probably hundreds of different chemicals and I have loved every single one, I've never had a bad trip, and when I broke through on DMT I trtripped for 3 days straight and broke down and cried to my friends and family and told everyone everything and it changed my life and it's like every time I consume I become happier and happier.

We should talk about this

 

[methoxetaman]

I handle my shit really well though, I think. I feel like I'm evening myself out just right. When I don't have the weed or the whatever that's when I start to lose my head.

 

[methoxetaman]

And when I tell people I love them I cry for about an hour straight. Happens about 5 times a day

 

[skillet]

Try the edit button next time, instead of making 3 posts in a row

Do the people saying they get strong effects from cigarettes smoke regularly?

 

[methoxetaman]

Whoops, I honestly haven't been on a forum for like two years I'm used to text messaging lol. I smoke cigarettes maybe 2 a day or 3. I used to keep it to one a day when I was younger, but now its about 3. I smoke hookah a lot, and lots of weed. They all kind of give me a similar buzz, i guess