Wait, is lust a symptom of ADHD?
Maybe not documented as such, but it’s understood to be correlated (especially in terms of “risky behaviors”), likely by way of chronic understimulation.
In layman’s terms: brain never gets the reward chemicals it needs > sex is a reliable source of reward chemicals > okay we’re obsessed with it now
Not sure about lust specifically though I suppose it’s possible to hyperfocus on it.
However, getting off is definitely something ADHD people can feel the urge to self medicate with. It is pretty strong stimulation, activating both dopaminergic and adrenal pathways (I think) which are the two that ADHD meds try to trigger to alleviate symptoms.
Furthermore, it helps with those under-stimulation days because it is stimulation, but can also help with overstimulation days because sex activates both the sympathetic AND parasympathetic nervous system. (it acts as both an upper and a downer) So it helps you relax and feel less stressed/irritable.
Sidenote: Nicotine is one of the only drugs that activates both pathways like this and surprise surprise it’s also something I’ve heard several ADHD people use to self medicate with or that they would use to help them focus before they realized they had ADHD.
90% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia smoke.
Do with that what you will.🚬
Ive never been diagnosed, but the more I read, the more im convinved ive been functioning adhd my whole life.
Today i learned about nicotine. The only time id smoke while sober was the last 2 weeks of the quarter when i was cramming for finals/doing labs etc. After my last deadline, i wouldnt do it for 10 more weeks, but would hit it hard during finals again. Always kept me focused and motivated
If you want any help on getting diagnosed we can do it public or private. Either respond here or PM me. I got diagnosed this year at age 41.
Wow, this explains why I was so addicted. It took forever to quit, and multiple attempts. I felt so much more with it when using it and have been so tempted to pick it back up.
