Tuesday Topic: Low BG vs. Hallucinating – Is There Really A Difference?

I want to make it clear from the start – I’ve never taken a hallucinogen, or at least not that I can remember. I may not have enough street cred for this post to be valid, but after a rough morning battling my BG, I felt compelled to articulate a serious low blood sugar. For some reason – LSD came to mind. I’ll begin by describing this low BG experience so you can better understand.

As I’m laying in bed, the mattress seems to be hugging me with a deep embrace. I feel loved and calm – nothing could remove me from this pleasant slumber. My mind begins to wonder and my thoughts are powerful, colorful and ever probing into the darkest parts of my brain.Not once do I think they’re unnatural, in fact quite the contrary. I’m brilliant, creative and effortlessly solving the world’s problems.

Then a wave of anxiety comes over me. I question everything! I recall previous conversations with great detail and feel overwhelmed by insecurity. I’m not good enough – I sounded like an idiot last week during that lunch meeting – Did I really say that?????? The rational Amber pops back in and I take a moment to process my thoughts. I immediately move to mediation and affirmations, but not even with a TRUE intention could I calm the paranoid, anxiety ridden thoughts and feelings.

Something wakes me unexpectedly and I’m familiar with this feeling of low BG now that I’m awake. I stumble to the restroom and test – BG is 44. I consume my current “go-to” juice – blueberry & pomegranate and head back to bed. I actually take an Aleve as well because I have a sneaking suspicion my low BG will spark a wicked headache.

My BG continues to tank throughout the day. I’m fully aware that my sudden shift in hormones overnight was the culprit and I hadn’t adjusted my Lantus. I spend a good portion of the day in bed – somewhat angry, but determined to not let the experience bring me down. Once my brain was functioning at at least 62%, I grab my computer and begin sharing this story.

Back to LSD and why I believe low BGs can rival it’s effects on the psyche. According to Wikipedia, LSD is well known for its psychological effects – which can include altered thinking processes, closed- and open-eye visuals, synesthesia, an altered sense of time, spiritual experiences and can have acute adverse psychiatric reactions such as anxiety, paranoia and delusions. I’m no rocket scientist, but Wikipedia’s description is exactly what I just shared with you.

A few hours after this post is published, I’m heading into my endocrinologist’s office. I can’t wait to pick his brain as to what is actually taking place and why the thoughts are so lucid and powerful. Will he have any idea since he’s not a T1D and will I sound like a lunatic describing my recent experience referencing LSD? Not sure, but I’ll keep you posted.