am I right in thinking that OCD likes a coherent explanation of what's happening and what is likely going to happen?
in that case: your idea that HC is a stimulant is wrong. It is a replacement. It replaces the hormones your adrenals fail to make in adequate quantities.
In the last phase before a total adrenal burnout, which is where you are, adrenals are making cortisol in an erratic fashion. They cycle through making not enough and way too much, several times a day. Especially when combined with stimulants and stressors (pain, coffee, herbs, ashwaganda, mental stress, physical cold, adrenaline, ME)
So when you take a small dose of HC (2,5 - 5 mg in a day) in this state a few things happen:
- when it complements what your body is lacking it will feel soothing
- if it surplusses what your body is making you will feel activated, stimulated, caffeinated
- it raises blood pressure, making you feel clearer in the head
in each case the effects will subside in a few hours. (Unless you take 20 mg because then you knock out your adrenals)
the relaxation things mentioned in this thread are a medical treatment. They affect your stress hormonal system, the HPA-axis (Hypothalamus - Pituitary - Adrenal system). It's not "oh poor Kiwi, just lie back and relax". It's meant to induce a scientific measurable change in your nervous system, the Relaxation Response. This will get your nervous system out of Fight or Flight. This will directly relief your adrenals. You need to do this as many times per day as possible. Start now.
My own case is the only report I can tell you about. And the part you're asking about is hazy but yes I was in that state. I wish
@Hip would weigh in.
I was bedridden, brainfogged to the point that I could not remember my own name during the day. I was wired too but was not as feverish in my thinking as you are. My home situation was peaceful. But I had to figure out my illness myself. My partner and my doctor were passive.
In the mornings I could not lift my head and my husband had to put something salty in my mouth before I could lift my head or speak. It took tremendous willpower to lift an arm and reach for a glass of salted water on the bed stand. Or knock on the wood to let my husband know he should come up and hand me the glass.
These symptoms indicate blood pressure problems (no salt and no glucose to the brain) which is adrenal caused. Effects from HC were therefore soothing and constructive: more glucose to the brain.
For other parts it made me extra wired. But I can't pinpoint what came from HC and what came from other things. For example I took mB12 and methylated folic acid and these were way too powerful for me (because of DNA mutations in methylation cycle). Also I react strongly to Zinc.
So it'll be hard to say: "this comes from that."
I still feel weird with you taking HC without medical supervision. But, having experience with numerous hormonal supplements for years now, I am confident that you will be alright as long as you follow the slogan for all hormones: "go low. go slow." Do not take more than 5 mg per day.
You can see it as an experiment, for one week, to see what it does for you.
Observe your body. If you don't feel good on it be assured that it will leave your body in a few hours.
2,5 mg per day is low. Once every other day is slow. You want to do 5 mg, every day. That's ok by me, that's still considered low and slow. But don't go higher and don't go more frequent.