Why does the reference of amphetamines make one feel high, even when totally sober?

[s2k1099]

I used to take adderall 30mg IRs everyday for 2 years. I'd sleep once every 3 days for this entire time. Anyway - I was jailed for a DUI for 6 months and wasn't able to take amphetamines in the jail, even though they were prescribed to me. (the state medical people said there wasn't a reason to take it in jail so they don't allow any ADD/ADHD medication) During this time i was obviously able to stop taking it. I got out of jail about 2 weeks ago and still have been clean and haven't started any prescriptions of it.

Today, however, i was mowing my moms lawn for the first time since i used to live with her back when i was always on adderall. A lot of things reminded me of the days i used to tweak off amphetamines. So then, when I had finished I returned to my apartment and ever since then (about 8 hours) I've felt higher than gas prices. I haven't drank energy drinks, I did drink a couple cans of soda, but other than that I've been as sober as a rock.

Do amphetamines store in your body in some way long after use, or am I experiencing some kind of psychological placebo effect because of the familiarity with where i was at? I don't have any urge to do speed again, I just feel like I smoked a bag of meth.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

It's most likely due to conditioning. When something reminds you of the drug or you're in a place where you used to be high, the brain can re-create those effects. If it's been over 6 months since you last took any amphetamines, then I highly doubt any is still in your system. Adderall should be pretty much out of your system in 1-2 weeks. The Scientologists believe that drugs stored in your fat are responsible for flashbacks and cravings but I'm extremely skeptical and they have no proof for that idea.

From the Wikipedia article I linked above:
A stimulus that is present when a drug is administered or consumed may eventually evoke a conditioned physiological response that mimics the effect of the drug. An example is caffeine: habitual coffee drinkers may find that the smell of coffee gives them a feeling of alertness.

 

[Cloroxtastebad]

I would be really happy if I could experiennce this.

Its just like other emotions that are conjured from a past memory, such as the rush of excitement and joy when something reminds you or Christmas, or a childhood experience that was truly wonderful.

They obviously don't have to all be childhood memories, they just seem to have more happy emotion tied to them. In your case, adderall was obvviously very enjoyable for you and this allowed you to walk down memory lane and experience what you felt back while using.

8 hours is pretty incredible I must say. The mind is unbelievebly strong, strong enough to get you tweaking without consuming a thing. Lucky duck

 

[PeacePipeChief]

When I think about shooting up meth ... Sticking it in , registering , seeing the blood then slamming the plunger , I sometimes get quite a big placebo rush .. Most of the time I'll do it for a good 5 minutes because it feels really
Good lol , usually the first time is the best and the rest are just hard cravings though .