9 Drugs To Stop Intrusive Thoughts
I have tried all and they are absolutely safe and effective.
Intrusive Thoughts are literally as the name suggests- Abrupt and unwanted thoughts that can be quite disturbing. Reports suggest that more than 6 million people alone in the United States have encountered them at some point in their lives. Have you too had intrusive thoughts? Do you want to know how to stop them?
Intrusive thoughts are quite common. The term may sound alien to many, but have you ever had disturbing thoughts that repeatedly come to your mind? Have you ever had an image of you killing someone, when in reality you don’t want to? Have you ever had disturbing thoughts of incest, while standing in the kitchen? Do you get images in your head that become difficult to erase or forget? Do you ever think of being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease? Do you imagine embarrassing yourself publicly?
If yes, then you are amongst the 94 percent of people in the world who have had intrusive thoughts. These thoughts are repetitive and annoying. Especially, because you do not want these things in reality. So, it becomes frustrating when you try to forget them but you keep getting them back, sometimes after days. And the more you try to push them away, the stronger they stick to you. Negative thoughts are like a rubber band, the farther you stretch, the harder it strikes. And as Sylvia Plath has asked intriguingly, ‘Is there no way out of the mind?
Last month, in May, we celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month. As a mental health advocate myself, it is important to share my own experiences with you. I too have had intrusive thoughts. I still have them. For months I had thoughts of writing spellings in my head. I would try stopping myself but I could not. Every time a hypothetical pen just moved in my mind, from left to right, writing over imaginary letters. I could never understand why it happened. I have been blessed to overcome my intrusive thoughts with the help of some drugs that I found absolutely safe to use.
These are not really drugs or over-the-counter medications, but hormones that the human body releases. Did you know that our daily activities can help us keep our thoughts in control? Our body releases hormones that are as effective as powerful drugs. It is easy to take medications, but drugs are not the solution to all mental disorders. They can have extremely harmful side effects.
Intrusive thoughts of certain kinds can be treated by diverting your mind and attention to something else. You will find many articles online about Distraction Techniques. But these are tried, tested, and super easy ways that can help you.
- Endocannabinoids in Runners’ High
Endocannabinoids are bio-chemicals that have the same effect as cannabis, also called marijuana. According to David Linden, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, when you run, the body naturally produces endocannabinoids. It improves your mood and releases stress. This feeling of high is commonly called the Runners’ High.
Whenever you experience an intrusive thought, just tie your shoelaces and go for a run. A light jog will also do. You will get distracted within a few minutes. It can be as satisfying as drug use. Isn’t it a safe and easy way to divert your attention?
2. Morphine in Cleaning
Morphine is a strong pain killer. Your body releases stress-relieving hormones when you clean things around you. These hormones, like endorphins, have effects like morphine on your mind and body.
Whenever you get a negative intrusive thought that causes you pain, like imagining a loved one dies, just start cleaning your room or workspace. Or just wash the dirty dishes. The morphine-like hormones will do their work. You will not only get distracted but will also feel good and in control.
3. Morphine in Organizing
Similarly, organizing the clutter also releases morphine-like bio-chemicals in your body. These happy hormones lift your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. ‘Decluttering the clutter’ feels like throwing away the useless stuff out of your space and incessant bad thoughts out of your mind.
So, the next time violent or sexual images appear in your mind, just start organizing your wardrobe. Try this and you will thank me later.
4. Dopamine in the Writers’ High
Yes, there’s something called a writers’ high too. When you feel anxious over an intrusive thought, just write it down. Intrusive thoughts can be embarrassing to be discussed with others. Make a diary your best friend. Tell it all.
When you write, the body produces a neurotransmitter called Dopamine. It has similar effects on your body as the Dopamine drug would have. It helps you think and plan well. It can bring feelings of reward and accomplishment to the mind. So many benefits of a natural drug, isn’t it? Write it down, like me. Now!
5. Serotonin to the Ears
Music releases the Serotonin hormones in your body. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the commonly prescribed antidepressants. They do the same work as the naturally inducing Serotonin hormone in your body! How healthy and harmless that is. And cost-effective also.
Whenever you face an intrusive thought, pause and listen to some relaxing music. But make sure you listen to happy uplifting songs only. Sad songs will cause you more stress and anxiety. Listening to music and singing songs divert your attention completely to the song, music, and its lyrics. And I bet you won’t be able to stop tapping your feet too!
6. Dopamine in Dance
Dance is not only a good exercise for the body, but for the brain as well. Whenever my students got restless in the classroom, I made them dance. That used to be a fun exercise. They got focused back on their studies. This is because dancing releases Dopamine in the body. This hormone makes you feel happy and energetic.
Just play a song and start dancing. You can also follow various dance routines videos. All you need to do is divert your thoughts when you get a negative one. Dancing will help you do that.
7. Opioids in Deep Breathing
Deep Breathing is an ageless remedy for stress and intrusive thoughts. Deep Breathing has an Opium or Opioid-like effect on your brain. Opioids are pain-relievers. How does deep breathing help? It produces endorphins in your body. Endorphins are bio-chemicals that have a pain-relieving effect on your body. They are natural and feel-good painkillers. So, Endorphins work like Opioids, but are just safe and healthy, with no adverse effects.
If you experience thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, start breathing deeply. Inhale and exhale deeply. Those thoughts will vanish in no time.
8. Oxytocin in Talking
Ever wondered why everyone says to ‘talk-it-out’? Think of that one friend whom you always call whenever you are under stress. Discussing and talking releases the hormone Oxytocin in your body. There is absolutely no need for drugs or medications, right?
Oxytocin builds social bonding. You do not need medications to release your pain and anxiety when you can have a chat with a near one. Whenever you have negative thoughts about yourself, like low self-esteem, or you think you are no good, or you are not smart enough, just call a friend. The idea is not to talk about the issue but about anything else at that very moment. Instead of discussing your thoughts, talk about something else, like the weather, or any latest movie you watched, etc. Talking about your negative self-talk may aggravate the problem even further. You will not even notice how quickly you will forget your thoughts.
9. Oxytocin in Gratitude
Practice gratitude for good mental health. Negative thoughts about yourself can also be forgotten when you are thankful for what you have. Just thank God and be grateful for what all you have, instead of sulking over what is missing. Gratitude releases Oxytocin in your body. So, when intrusive thoughts strike, be thankful to people around you. Start counting your blessings.
Our body has natural self-defenses. There has been extensive research on the effect of various drugs and hormones on our bodies. I am sure you must have been eager to know about the so-called drugs to beat the intrusive thoughts of your mind. But trust me, these distraction techniques are more fruitful and the safest to stop Intrusive thoughts. These are better than drugs, non-addictive, and free.
