# Head rush

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-rush/97999>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 13, 2002, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-rush/97999 "2002-03-13T04:46:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MeGrimlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MeGrimlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeGrimlock)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-rush/97999/1 "2002-03-13T04:46:54Z")

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Alright, this question must’ve been asked before but I couldn’t find it in any search on the site. Anyways, what is up with head rushes acquired by standing up too quickly? I’m sure I’ve heard that blood rushes from the head, leaving it deprived of blood, but that doesn’t sound right. Almost too simple. Also, is there a medical term for this, there seems to be one for everything. Three, why can’t I replicate this kind of high without any kind of pill? Thanks.

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**Author:** ![MeGrimlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MeGrimlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeGrimlock)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-rush/97999/2 "2002-03-13T04:50:21Z")

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Alright, so I meant to say “why can’t I replicate this feeling with a type of pill.” Now I’ve ruined the lame, half-serious joke.

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**Author:** ![iconoplast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3d9bf3/32.png) [@iconoplast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iconoplast)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-rush/97999/3 "2002-03-13T04:58:19Z")

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Head rushes from standing up are caused by a drop in blood pressure. So you’re pretty much right… gravity makes blood want to go to your legs. It’s called orthostatic hypotension.

And I’m sure if you took medication to lower your blood pressure, that’d happen more often. 😉

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**Author:** ![MeGrimlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MeGrimlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeGrimlock)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-rush/97999/4 "2002-03-13T05:19:15Z")

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Thanks, I knew there had to be a medical term for it, there always is. With the newfound knowledge of the name I was able to do a google search and found out all sorts of nasty stuff about it. I was hoping there was some way to make it more long term, but then, after reading more, I decided that I like the use of my bladder. Those sites just sucked the fun out of an occasional little pleasure in life. Oh well, back to getting stupid the cheater’s way.