Brain feels dry—

Also described as: zapped, tension headache, mashed potato brain, tired, fried, brain is fried, mushy brain, batteries are dead, mental exhaustion, completely unresponsive to any demands, pressure in head, thoughts trying to push through sludge, boredom allergy flareup, dopamine starved

Description:

• A global, dull brain sensation that feels similar to dehydration but isn’t relieved by drinking water or electrolyte drinks. It’s not a headache but feels like a "dry" discomfort throughout the brain. Often occurs after prolonged hyper- or special interest-focus, especially when working on something challenging or just beyond current capabilities.

Context:

• When: After 12+ hours of hyperfocus or special interest engagement, particularly on tasks that are mentally taxing or slightly beyond current skill levels.
• Triggers: overexertion of mental energy.
• Warning Sign of: Impending crash; if ignored, can lead to brain zaps, meltdown, or shutdown.

Physical Sensations:

• A dull, "everywhere" brain discomfort.
• Similar to the sensation of having had no water for two days with low activity levels but it is not relieved by drinking water.
• Comparable to low electrolyte levels in POTS (e.g., the feeling you have when you’re still laying down, but can feel that if you were to stand up you would lose your balance, get dizzy, or have the edges of your vision go black) but electrolyte drinks don’t help.

Emotional/Cognitive Sensations: