Wasn't sure where to post this as I looked at all the areas to post on Longecity. I have been dealing with this issue for a few years now. I am a very friendly person, and most who know me would be shocked to know that I feel this way, but I feel nothing emotionally. I have a great life (job, family, health, etc.), but I do not feel happiness, sadness, love, etc. I realize that this could be a complicated issue that may have multiple causes. Does anyone have any ideas? Getting tired of not feeling life as I've got a pretty nice one. I'm emotionally numb and it's getting frustrating. Thanks for your help.
I Feel Nothing Emotionally - Any Ideas?
#1
Posted 22 October 2014 - 03:43 PM
#2
Posted 22 October 2014 - 03:57 PM
Do you also find inability to experience or anticipate pleasure?
#3
Posted 22 October 2014 - 05:12 PM
Do you have a libido ? Spontaneous erection/Morning wood?
#4
Posted 22 October 2014 - 07:33 PM
No I do not experience pleasure and I do not anticipate pleasure either.
Do you also find inability to experience or anticipate pleasure?
#5
Posted 22 October 2014 - 07:38 PM
I have a very low sex drive. No spontaneous erections since I was a kid which was a very long time ago. Morning wood? Almost never. I notice an occasional erection in the middle of the night every once in a while.
Do you have a libido ? Spontaneous erection/Morning wood?
#6
Posted 22 October 2014 - 07:46 PM
Have you ever taken any Anti-depressant medications? Any Nootropics? Narcotics of any kind? Any strange pressure in either or both sides of your head?
#7
Posted 22 October 2014 - 09:35 PM
Have you ever taken any Anti-depressant medications? Any Nootropics? Narcotics of any kind? Any strange pressure in either or both sides of your head?
No anti-depressants. No medications for at least six or seven years (Ritalin). No narcotics - ever. No strange pressure in my head.
Lots of Nootropics though for the last eight years. I do rotate my stacks daily so as to never repeat a substance day to day...well... I do take Aniracetam nearly everyday, but that's the only one I don't think that this issue is related to Noots. I have taken Valerian Root daily for four or five years due to sleep issues, and have wondered if that could have something to do with it even though I don't take very much of it (only a capsule a day and up to four a day are recommended).
Edited by boythatssomebreath, 22 October 2014 - 09:36 PM.
#8
Posted 23 October 2014 - 06:07 AM
You have anhedonia it seems. It's not impossible that heavy nootropic usage could have triggered it, or worked as a catalyst, although it still seems kinda unlikely. They are cognition enhancers, not empathy-enhancers, but you do need the predisposition to anhedonia I believe. I did read an anecdote of someone taking Noopept for anxiety and it killing their emotions. Valerian Root is GABA-agonist which are known to blunt feelings, but it's too little compared to something like benzos. Anhedonia can occur as a response to long-term stress, withdrawal from drugs, or sometimes for no particular reason.
I think first you should cease all nootropics and substances. Then see how you feel and start considering treatment possiblities.
#9
Posted 23 October 2014 - 07:40 AM
I am interested to know what would happen if you tried a month of 10-15 minutes daily metta meditation.
Instructions:
http://www.mettainst...meditation.html
Study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3176989/
I suspect that active metta practice would bring up other emotions in awareness as well, even if they are not apparent to you right now.
#10
Posted 23 October 2014 - 10:07 AM
Mmm I really feel what you are living, that's funny but trust me FOR SURE medication is not the solution it could be a part but not a standalone solution... (I have tried like 100 stuff + yet)
That's funny because I think that the loss of erection is closely interconnected with our symptoms. I absolutely don't mean that there is a strict correlation but last weekend I had a very social engaging events that put me really on edge. That was so strong that it litteraly change some things that I could not change even with prozac/tianeptine or any stuff you want. Then I can't explain what happened but I was on a 5mg escitalopram + ritalin combo and the positive effect stayed but I'm sure it will subside. I'm waiting for NSI 189 but I'm now that it's my way of life that is a big part of the problem.
You should maybe think to change the place your live, find a women (if you can it would be awesome) and having a funny week of heavy drinking (I know that seem paradoxal) staying on longecity will not help trust me even with the best meds (and I know what I'm talking about I'm too much on it reading about NSI haha)
#11
Posted 23 October 2014 - 03:25 PM
You have anhedonia it seems. It's not impossible that heavy nootropic usage could have triggered it, or worked as a catalyst, although it still seems kinda unlikely. They are cognition enhancers, not empathy-enhancers, but you do need the predisposition to anhedonia I believe. I did read an anecdote of someone taking Noopept for anxiety and it killing their emotions. Valerian Root is GABA-agonist which are known to blunt feelings, but it's too little compared to something like benzos. Anhedonia can occur as a response to long-term stress, withdrawal from drugs, or sometimes for no particular reason.
I think first you should cease all nootropics and substances. Then see how you feel and start considering treatment possiblities.
I was not familiar with the term "Anhedonia" - thank you for bringing this to my attention. I think this is great advice (stopping all supplements for a while). I will report back in a couple of weeks.
#12
Posted 23 October 2014 - 03:27 PM
I am interested to know what would happen if you tried a month of 10-15 minutes daily metta meditation.
Instructions:
http://www.mettainst...meditation.html
Study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3176989/
I suspect that active metta practice would bring up other emotions in awareness as well, even if they are not apparent to you right now.
I have no experience with this, but find it interesting. I'm going to give it a try. Thank you!
#13
Posted 23 October 2014 - 04:41 PM
I don't know your situation at all, so please take this with a humble grain of salt.
You say that by all external measures your life is going well. Perhaps there is something that you're not thinking of? Perhaps you feel no attachment to a community? Something larger than your self? Something that expresses sacred values? Have you tried psilocybin? It has been shown to change lives and lift people out of depression, depersonalization etc... My point is that sometimes we have biases that prevent us from seeing what might be missing in our life.
#14
Posted 24 October 2014 - 06:14 PM
#15
Posted 24 October 2014 - 08:01 PM
Hows Your memory and cognition ?
How sensitive are You to stress and anxiety ?
I have some similair issues but accompanied with severe mood depressions.
Emotionality, mood and memory + cognition cycle sometimes through the day.
I assume (currently..sigh) for me a de-regulation of Glucocorticoid and/or Mineralocorticoid levels.
If this perhaps does affects You, then try Propolis(increases the expression of GR receptors) or Dan shen aka Salvia Miltiorrhiza
Both are bloodthinners especially Dan Shen.
So take break for 1 week before and after in regards of bloodthinners like e.g. Aspirine, Fishoil or Tumeric.
I will try morus alba bark in the next days and post it here, if You are interrested.
Here are some links for my assumption.
http://houseofmind.t...asing-factor-on
http://www.psycholog...blic-enemy-no-1
http://bipolar.about...gl_cortisol.htm
Glucocorticoid modulation of dopamine mediated effects on hypothalamic atrial natriuretic factor neurons.
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/10889539
According to them, Corticosterone lowers Dopamine and Serotonine in the Reward and motivation areas.
But increases Dopamine outflow when administered with Drugs e.g. Morphine, Ritalin, Cocaine & etc. !?
http://www.ncbi.nlm....icles/PMC22744/
Juvenile Administration of Methylphenidate Attenuates Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis
http://psy.fsu.edu/~...idate paper.pdf
Thus probably the Anhedonia, but of course not for sure.
Furthermore lets say this is the case, what is responsible for this ?
Well perhaps: an underfunction of the hippocampus, as said lack of GR for the negative feedback loop, or a lack of MR, an alternative deregulation of the HPA axis or something different..
You see how difficult this can be -.-
Its allways good to have the luck to meet a open-minded doc. I dont have this luck..
Anyway You could probalby get an antidepressant perscribed that increase the expression of MR´s
Edited by Flex, 24 October 2014 - 08:07 PM.
#16
Posted 24 October 2014 - 08:27 PM
Seems relevant too
Environmental Enrichment Preceding Early Adulthood Methylphenidate Treatment Leads to Long Term Increase of Corticosterone and Testosterone in the Rat
http://www.plosone.o...al.pone.0022059
#17
Posted 25 October 2014 - 09:30 AM
Valerian Root in my experience lowers sex drive. I would also notice the following day from taking Valerian that I would be somewhat Flat.IT could be due to the Valerian and low testosterone. Try stoppping for a few weeks and see if there is any chance. I'm sure its not that simple but It could help your sex drive at least.
#18
Posted 25 October 2014 - 12:59 PM
#19
Posted 26 October 2014 - 12:59 AM
I have the exact same issue. Trying NSI-189 at the moment.
My next point of call is psilocybin or LSD. I think to lift out of anhedonia/emotionless, we need to face what is causing it, which hallucinogens are very useful for.
#20
Posted 26 October 2014 - 05:32 AM
Do you exercise?
Sometimes when I cannot feel emotionally, or feel to much, I lift heavy things or move this flesh and body of mine, then when things get physically hard, only then I feel the struggle of life. That feeling alone reminds me that I am still alive and have the potential to feel more than just gravity.
#21
Posted 03 December 2014 - 04:31 PM
I don't know your situation at all, so please take this with a humble grain of salt.
You say that by all external measures your life is going well. Perhaps there is something that you're not thinking of? Perhaps you feel no attachment to a community? Something larger than your self? Something that expresses sacred values? Have you tried psilocybin? It has been shown to change lives and lift people out of depression, depersonalization etc... My point is that sometimes we have biases that prevent us from seeing what might be missing in our life.
I have not tried Psilocybin. Since I do not have health insurance I only go the doctor when it is absolutely necessary (I should probably consider getting blood work done).
#22
Posted 03 December 2014 - 04:41 PM
Do you suffer from any cognitive deficits along with this? Memory, speech, word recall? A bit less witty and expressive/articulate?
No cognitive deficits that I am aware of. I am an engineer for a defense company and am required to work at a very high level at all times. I am also a full-time college student with a solid GPA. With that being said, I have no memory, word recall, or speech issues. I would consider myself extremely articulate and witty (not bragging)
It's funny, another engineer I work with always talks about how excited he is for the weekend and all of the great things he's going to do - I never feel like that. I could be leaving for Hawaii tomorrow, and would feel zero excitement. And when in Hawaii, I really wouldn't be able to have fun. Like I said, I have a great life and am always in a good mood and am very friendly and outgoing, but I just don't feel anything - bad or good. I have two weeks off at Christmas and am going to stop all noots and the valerian root and see how I feel.
Edited by boythatssomebreath, 03 December 2014 - 04:53 PM.
#23
Posted 03 December 2014 - 05:35 PM
Yeah you really need to stop Noots before it become irreversible
#24
Posted 03 December 2014 - 08:39 PM
Could You list some Antidepressants and Nootropics which changed anything in a positive or negative way.
Or list them all, if You like
Edited by Flex, 03 December 2014 - 08:41 PM.
#25
Posted 03 December 2014 - 09:02 PM
Like I said, I have a great life and am always in a good mood and am very friendly and outgoing, but I just don't feel anything - bad or good.
That does not make sense to me. How can you be in a good mood when you're not feeling anything. Isn't a good mood a feeling for you?
#26
Posted 03 December 2014 - 09:30 PM
I have taken Valerian Root daily for four or five years due to sleep issues, and have wondered if that could have something to do with it even though I don't take very much of it (only a capsule a day and up to four a day are recommended).
Valerian is said to interact "with the GABA(A)-ergic system, a mechanism of action similar to the benzodiazepine drugs," and benzodiazepine is known to turn people into benzombies.
#27
Posted 03 December 2014 - 10:30 PM
Do you suffer from any cognitive deficits along with this? Memory, speech, word recall? A bit less witty and expressive/articulate?
No cognitive deficits that I am aware of. I am an engineer for a defense company and am required to work at a very high level at all times. I am also a full-time college student with a solid GPA. With that being said, I have no memory, word recall, or speech issues. I would consider myself extremely articulate and witty (not bragging)
It's funny, another engineer I work with always talks about how excited he is for the weekend and all of the great things he's going to do - I never feel like that. I could be leaving for Hawaii tomorrow, and would feel zero excitement. And when in Hawaii, I really wouldn't be able to have fun. Like I said, I have a great life and am always in a good mood and am very friendly and outgoing, but I just don't feel anything - bad or good. I have two weeks off at Christmas and am going to stop all noots and the valerian root and see how I feel.
You seem to be in good shape. Various religions exhort us to get rid of desires, and you seem to be there already. The downside of getting excited about a holiday in Hawaii and milking every moment of it is the come down afterwards, when normal life appears disappointing by comparison. A person who lives for special occasions--say, the weekend--effectively has to endure the non-special occasions until the good times come round again, with their brief, fireworklike intensity.
In my opinion, the default state of life is as you describe yours--enjoyable, level, healthy. The mistake many people make is to think of the default state as dull or neutral. This is because they see life as a series of brief excitements, with water-treading in between.
Edited by Gerrans, 03 December 2014 - 10:30 PM.
#28
Posted 04 December 2014 - 01:45 AM
Did you try a month of daily metta practice? If so, how did it go?
If not, what stopped you?
#29
Posted 20 October 2022 - 08:18 PM
friendly
I hate when people say ''well at least he was honest'' like he should be credited for it. Everyone should be friendly or honest by default. good start to help em.
Edited by kurdishfella, 20 October 2022 - 08:18 PM.
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