I realised this feeling is why I have such an issue avoiding caffeine, even more after starting on ritalin.
It’s that, “I’m really starting to feel awake and capable now” feeling, sometimes a light tenseness in the back of the neck.
What is going on here, neuronically?
Also a time when I really crave nicotine. I’m trying to quit the nicotine so if I can understand this feeling, I can make a strategy to avoid it.
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What you’re describing sounds like the effects of noradrenaline. The effects are what most people imagine when they think of stimulants, in my experience; i.e. increased energy, heart rate, physical tension, alertness, etc.
Many drugs have noradrenergic effects, but especially stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and most ADHD meds. Ritalin has a stronger noradrenergic effect than other first-line options, as well.
IANAMD but the cravings you describe might be a simple conditioned response. Since each day the physiological cues (increased blood pressure, muscle tension, etc) are quickly followed by the release of dopamine, your body now anticipates it, which may briefly amplify cravings. To get past that period of cravings, you could try timing your dose so that it passes while you’re distracted by something physical/kinetic.