# Does ibuprofen make you feel "good?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459 "2013-02-26T20:08:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/21 "2013-02-27T18:49:06Z")
Is feeling more relaxed and less stressful really a “buzz”? I think pain relievers do tend to make me feel more relaxed and calm but I certainly wouldn’t call it a buzz. ---
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/22 "2013-02-27T19:02:14Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Over time I’ve come to realize that 30-40 minutes later, after the headache is gone, I feel really good. It’s unclear to me whether this is just because my head doesn’t hurt anymore, or or because the ibuprofen really does address some sort of previously unnoticed background discomfort/inflammation throughout my whole body. I just feel…relaxed, stress-free, untroubled…difficult to describe in words. Like waking up from a _really_ good night’s sleep, that kind of “oh yeah, that’s what I needed” feeling. > > Is that just me? Or have you noticed the same thing when you take ibuprofen? I get the exact same feeling after taking ibuprofen. It’s lovely. I always just assumed it was the relief of my head not hurting anymore, but this thread suggest that’s not the case. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![RedBloom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/23 "2013-02-27T19:19:29Z")
I’ve never had any kind of buzz from it, but many times I take it just to quiet down my body - I am a pretty intense person so it shuts off some of the noise sometimes. I’m hyper-aware of every single ache and pain too, so perhaps that’s why. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/24 "2013-02-27T19:47:29Z")
I have gotten that on occasion though not regularly whenever I take that stuff. Though I have had other similar feeling from getting relief from discomfort such as after throwing up and the sick feeling goes away. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/25 "2013-02-27T19:49:45Z")
I have heard long distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail call it “Vitamin I”. ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/26 "2013-02-27T20:23:28Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Is feeling more relaxed and less stressful really a “buzz”? I think pain relievers do tend to make me feel more relaxed and calm but I certainly wouldn’t call it a buzz. For clarification’s sake, ibuprofen makes me euphoric. Joyous. Maybe it’s an absence of physical and emotional pain, but it’s not the same calming effect I get, say, from my citalopram, or the contentment of a good drink and a hockey game. **Balance** , I never take ibuprofen without prior symptoms, and I try not to take it more than three days in a row. No reason. Just arbitrary self-rules. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/27 "2013-02-27T20:28:48Z")
Not even a little bit. Much of the time it doesn’t even do a very good job reducing my pain. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/28 "2013-02-27T20:34:47Z")
I’ve never noticed anything except pain subsiding, and sometimes not even that. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/29 "2013-02-27T21:26:45Z")
No, not from ibuprofen. I do, however, get a really weird post-migraine numbness in my brain after I take Excedrin XS aka Excedrin Migraine. I’ve always figured it was from the caffeine that’s in it because the only reason I get migraines is 24 hours after I quit drinking caffeinated beverages. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/30 "2013-02-27T21:32:46Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > Damn, some of you are lucky. High off Ibuprofen? I can barely get high off a bottle of Robitussin. I wouldn’t quite say “high,” but it definitely helps my sense of well-being. Then again, I have several chronic minor aches and pains, so it’s pretty much always relieving _something_. [This article](http://www.livescience.com/5966-pain-pills-ease-hurt-feelings.html) may be relevant. Surprised it’s so old–I could have sworn I just saw this in a major news outlet. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/31 "2013-02-28T02:05:01Z")
The only thing ibuprofen does for me is irritate my stomach. So it makes me feel “bad”, not “good”. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/32 "2013-02-28T04:47:59Z")
I have noticed this, but for me the effect is subtle enough that I never thought of it as anything other than relief at the pain being gone. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/33 "2013-02-28T04:49:50Z")
I notice feeling good effect. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/34 "2013-02-28T05:07:52Z")
> [@Rysler](#): > > For clarification’s sake, ibuprofen makes me euphoric. Joyous. Maybe it’s an absence of physical and emotional pain, but it’s not the same calming effect I get, say, from my citalopram, or the contentment of a good drink and a hockey game. I don’t think it’s that big a deal, but taking Ibuprofen and Citalopram together is contra-indicated, I think it can stop the Citalopram working so well. Doesn’t stop me doing it occasionally, but I usually try another painkiller first. (I’m not a doctor or pharmacist). ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/35 "2013-02-28T05:56:59Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > mmmmm Advil PM. 🙂 Maybe this is relevant for the OP. Advil PM isn’t just ibuprofen. It’s ibuprofen + diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benedryl). Similarly, there’s Tylenol PM, a combination of acetaminophen (a.k.a. paracetamol) + diphenhydramine. So maybe, if someone’s getting a little buzz, perhaps you’re taking one of the many versions of ibuprofen or acetaminophen with diphenhydramine mixed in. ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/36 "2013-02-28T15:15:41Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I don’t think it’s that big a deal, but taking Ibuprofen and Citalopram together is contra-indicated, I think it can stop the Citalopram working so well. Yeah, thanks for the heads up, that’s another reason to not take it too often. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/37 "2013-02-28T15:59:10Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Maybe this is relevant for the OP. > > Advil PM isn’t just ibuprofen. It’s ibuprofen + diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benedryl). > > Similarly, there’s Tylenol PM, a combination of acetaminophen (a.k.a. paracetamol) + diphenhydramine. > > So maybe, if someone’s getting a little buzz, perhaps you’re taking one of the many versions of ibuprofen or acetaminophen with diphenhydramine mixed in. Not in my case. It’s definitely just plain Advil, with ibuprofen as the only active ingredient. I guess I’m trying to sort out whether my good feeling is: A)a contrast effect from having my headache taken away; B)a real effect due to ibuprofen eliminating every other little ache and pain throughout my body; or C)a real, psychoactive effect of ibuprofen. Based on the anecdotes provided so far, it’s starting to look like B or C, with C being possibly more likely. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/38 "2013-02-28T17:08:02Z")
Ibuprofen thins the blood, maybe that is what everyone is feeling? ---
**Author:** ![Julesgreenb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@Julesgreenb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julesgreenb)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/39 "2013-07-01T15:57:33Z")
I agree that maybe because it thins the blood the heart doesn’t have to work as hard. I find it helps me exercise and sleep. It also hels with restlessnes during meditation. I frst really noticed it when I was at a meditation retreat and got my period. After taking Advil for my cramps I noticed my meditations were much easier. I could relax and sit still and just feel great vs feeling restless. And wasn’t just because sitting was more comfortable and painfree. It was also my breathing was calmer. It might have something to do with increased oxygen from easier blood flow. Maybe we all have low iron so we need more oxygen. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459/40 "2013-07-01T16:34:36Z")
I know one person (though I don’t really know him well) who is a recovering substance abuser. He says he cannot even take aspirin or ibuprofen because he knows he will abuse it. That always struck me as unnecessarily cautious until I read this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ibuprofen-make-you-feel-good/651459.md?page=3)