Mentally-induced buzz

In My Humble Opinion
1

As far back as I can remember, under the right conditions I find myself entering a mildly trancelike state with a sense of well being and what I can best describe as a tingly sensation in my scalp and extremities (sometimes even in my shins, of all places). After having sampled alcohol and nicotine I realized that it was similar to, yet still distinct from the buzzes that either of those can produce.

I can’t will myself into it, but I know the kinds of situations where I seem especially prone. For example, my earliest memories of it are from when I’d just be hanging out in the living room while my sister was there reading a book. I found the sound of turning pages and shuffling paper soothing, especially when there was the background noise of the central air in our house working or the occiasional distant chirp of a bird outside.

Also, the lunch area at work is usually very quiet, and reading the paper with the occasional sound of one of my co-worker’s smacking their lips and chewing their lunch is hypnotic too.

And when I’d study with my girlfriend in college, the silence broken by her pencil scratching on paper and hearing her think aloud through her equations under her breath caused a similar response.

I can think of others, but you get the idea. Anyone else get sensations like this? What triggers them for you? I’m curious as to whether it varies from person to person or is pretty consistent. It’s interesting how otherwise dull* or boring situations can bring on a rush like this, however minute it may be.

The physiology and psychology of this might be interesting too. At the risk of venturing into GQ territory, does anyone know anything along those lines? Is there a technical term for it, or is “buzz” all we’ve got?

*well, the sound of my girlfriend almost-whispering isn’t exactly boring. :wink:

2

Y’know, given that the times you hear ‘the buzz’ are mostly times when the ambient noise is low, I’d say you have mild tinnitus.

But given that you feel it too, I’d suggest that you are unconsciously hyperventilating and the increased oxygen in your bloodstream is causing the tingles and whingles.

I’m not a doc, btw. This is not medical advice. :stuck_out_tongue:

3

I think of it as being in “the zone”. I get that feeling on the weekends, when I take long meals in my school’s dining hall with a good book. There’s background noise, lots of hot tea, and something stimulating to read. The closest thing I can liken it to is the euphoria I get while knitting. I’ve been told the feeling I have while knitting is related to endorphins being released in my brain (the only cite I can think of off the top of my head is “Zen and the Art of Knitting” by Bernadette Murphy, which is far from a scientific text), so maybe something similiar is happening in your situations.

4

I tend to get a serious buzz out of either following a line of historical research, chasing the facts, and seeing all the bits and pieces slot into place like a jigsaw, or when I’m out and around old buildings, heritage sites, and amongst other local historians (their energy and passion for the interest in history is incredible). I tend to come home knackered but on a total high for ages.

5

This work by Abraham Maslow (which is not drug-related, despite the host server) on Peak Experiences may interest you all.

6

It is indeed the zone. This is the feeling people strive to achieve through meditation.

The force is strong with you, grasshopper. :wink: