I need an opinion (HSPs)

[WonderSeeker]

Being a highly sensitive person (HSP): my experience + a question

I didn't know I was one until it became an irrefutable fact after years of evidence piling up.

Basically, everything from...

• caffeine
• blue light
• pesticides
• large crowds
• hot/cold weather
• fluorescent lights
• artificial chemicals
• environmental/pet/food allergens

...hits me much harder than it does most people.

I used to think I was weak or dramatic, but after learning about this condition from Googling "WTF is wrong with my body?!" years ago, I learned that some people are just more sensitive.

If you think you may be an HSP but aren't sure, I created this simple sensitivity survey you can check out here.
 

Why I'm sharing this

I live on the extreme end of the sensitivity scale and different self-ac practices have made me more sensitive.

I believe that reading eye-opening books (30+ paradigm-shifters), doing spiritual work (TONS of meditation in 2020-21) and lots of psychedelics (20+ trips and already 5 this year) have increased the amount of sensory and perceptual data I take in. Plus, living in Phoenix for 3 summers (a city that routinely clears 110F in the summer) made me more painfully aware of my sensitivities as I'd crash out and become depressed every summer from a fried nervous system and brain.
 

Couple nuances to add

1. I don't mind being sensitive, nor actively having increased my sensitivity. In fact, I love it! I fully accept my condition and how it's forced me to adapt and grow in new ways in recent years.
2. I believe being hyper-sensitive is where the world is headed if it is to heal. Not to say "everyone be like me", but I think desensitization is why you see so much gross unconsciousness everywhere from physical cruelty, to hostile club environments, to putting poison in our food supply, to lighting our gas stations and supermarkets with mercury-vapor lightbulbs.
    

Ok. All of that said, here's where I am now

• I avoid environments that feel like an onslaught (eg, loud clubs) because my body no longer tolerates my mind overriding it
• I haven't smoked weed or drank alcohol in almost 2 years
• I'm combating internet use with sport and walks
• Also I just moved out of the desert in favor of a more humid-temperate climate again (big measure!)

But as far as my day-to-day goes, I still have a lot of sensory overload (sometimes it's akin to existing as a 128 MB drive with 128.3 MB on it) and not all of the root causes are obvious.
 

My question

To other HSPs, what do you suggest for getting to the root of this data overload --- not just coping with the symptoms?

Edited Saturday at 09:10 PM by WonderSeeker

[Mata]

Your post deeply resonated with me. Lately, I have also observed that I get overwhelmed by lots of data entering my mind. Using metro, living in a fast-paced, hectic city, being around a large group of stressed people rushing somewhere, and having too much cluttered stuff in the home - all of them overwhelm me. In addition, social media, getting bombarded with info about who shares what, who is where, who does/likes what - all these also make my brain feel like it wants to escape from all this useless info.  Thanks to this sensory overload, I've been aware that I need to live in calm and peaceful environments and maybe lead a minimalistic lifestyle and possess only what I need and use and make my living space organized and tidy.  Also, while using social media, if I see that this info doesn't add any value to my life, I try to limit that source of info, like checking some social media only on my computer, etc. 

Thanks for the survey as well. My result was 20/30 (Level 4: Highly Sensitive). 

[Someone here]

@Mata hi how are you doing today ? 

[Someone here]

22 hours ago, WonderSeeker said:

To other HSPs, what do you suggest for getting to the root of this data overload --- not just coping with the symptoms?

I don't have that technical spefic condition, maybe Preety does . But nevertheless I do understand your condition.  Its basically addiction to knowledge. Addiction to learning.  You get dopamine high from reading a book by Stephen Hawking or watching Juicy Actualized episode and you want to just sit there and take notes all day .you can't even sleep because your mind is so active and obsessed with knowledge you basically want to download the entire Web into your brain through a USB cable. 

The solution is to practice " do nothing " meditation.  Just sit down and do nothing .

That's all really .easier said than done .

[MutedMiles]

On 10/10/2025 at 1:53 AM, WonderSeeker said:

Being a highly sensitive person (HSP): my experience + a question

I didn't know I was one until it became an irrefutable fact after years of evidence piling up.

Basically, everything from...

• caffeine
• blue light
• pesticides
• large crowds
• hot/cold weather
• fluorescent lights
• artificial chemicals
• environmental/pet/food allergens

...hits me much harder than it does most people.

I used to think I was weak or dramatic, but after learning about this condition from Googling "WTF is wrong with my body?!" years ago, I learned that some people are just more sensitive.

If you think you may be an HSP but aren't sure, I created this simple sensitivity survey you can check out here.
 

Why I'm sharing this

I live on the extreme end of the sensitivity scale and different self-ac practices have made me more sensitive.

I believe that ready lots of eye-opening books (30+ paradigm-shifters), doing spiritual work (TONS of meditation in 2020-21) and lots of psychedelics (20+ trips and already 5 this year) have increased the amount of sensory and perceptual data I take in. Plus, living in Phoenix for 3 summers (a city that routinely clears 110F in the summer) made me more painfully aware of my sensitivities as I'd crash out and become depressed every summer from a fried nervous system and brain.
 

Couple nuances to add

1. I don't mind being sensitive, nor actively having increased my sensitivity. In fact, I love it! I fully accept my condition and how it's forced me to adapt and grow in new ways in recent years.
2. I believe being hyper-sensitive is where the world is headed if it is to heal. Not to say "everyone be like me", but I think desensitization is why you see so much gross unconsciousness everywhere from physical cruelty, to hostile club environments, to putting poison in our food supply, to lighting our gas stations and supermarkets with mercury-vapor lightbulbs.
    

Ok. All of that said, here's where I am now

• I avoid environments that feel like an onslaught (eg, loud clubs) because my body no longer tolerates my mind overriding it
• I haven't smoked weed or drank alcohol in almost 2 years
• I'm combating internet use with sport and walks
• Also I just moved out of the desert in favor of a more humid-temperate climate again (big measure!)

But as far as my day-to-day goes, I still have a lot of sensory overload (sometimes it's akin to existing as a 128 MB drive with 128.3 MB on it) and not all of the root causes are obvious.
 

My question

To other HSPs, what do you suggest for getting to the root of this data overload --- not just coping with the symptoms?

I went through the list you shared and i scored 26/30. Not sure how objective this is but most of what you wrote, made intuitive sense to me. I avoid news and media mostly, rarely watch movies.

And my need for alone time has increased alot, so much so that i had to quit job and stay disconnected for few months to feel normal again. I designed my life in such a way that except couple of very close people no one contacts me. That's the only way i can survive for now.

What helps me most is the physical activity, running and exercising, though i feel drained mentally but when i start working out, some how i find energy and it rejuvenates me. Had to create a small home gym to complement my alone time.

Regarding data overload, what helps me these days is to avoid screens after 6 PM. I gradually trained myself to do slow contemplative reading in last few months, read alot of Ralston, Rupert and Francis Lucille, Nisargadatta, J. Krishnamurti and others. And i like to read printed books even kindle doesn't cut it for me, just engaging with these books slowly, sometimes even keep reading the same passages again and again helped..

I'm also looking forward to read what suggestions others have.

 

Edited Saturday at 05:54 PM by MutedMiles

[WonderSeeker]

On 10/10/2025 at 4:15 PM, Someone here said:

I don't have that technical spefic condition, maybe Preety does . But nevertheless I do understand your condition.  Its basically addiction to knowledge. Addiction to learning.  You get dopamine high from reading a book by Stephen Hawking or watching Juicy Actualized episode and you want to just sit there and take notes all day .you can't even sleep because your mind is so active and obsessed with knowledge you basically want to download the entire Web into your brain through a USB cable. 

The solution is to practice " do nothing " meditation.  Just sit down and do nothing.

That's all really easier said than done .

Ah, I know exactly what you're talking about. Used to go to bed and out of nowhere, an avalanche of ideas would unload and I'd throw a lamp on and write for 2 hours. 

Doesn't really happen anymore. It's mainly dealing with intense forms of sensory input that throws me off. One Red Bull is enough to take me out.

Edited Saturday at 09:46 PM by WonderSeeker

[Carl-Richard]

I tell my brother I can feel when I've had too much soy sauce because the 2% alcohol is hitting me, and he's always like "placebo". 

What do you mean by getting to the root of? Have you optimized your micronutrients? Do your meals have proper macronutrient ratios? I find making sure you're eating enough of especially protein is good for keeping things chill and pleasant, and also veggies (think e.g. 200g meat, 120g pasta dry weight, 250g veggies). Protein (amino acids) is literally what neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, are made out of. Also, too much carbohydrates and blood sugar spikes and drops can throw you for a loop. And also for example too low vitamin D or lack of e.g. magnesium (personally I find magnesium supplements are great for making things more pleasant).

[WonderSeeker]

On 10/10/2025 at 7:10 AM, Mata said:

Your post deeply resonated with me.

Lately, I have also observed that I get overwhelmed by lots of data entering my mind. Using metro, living in a fast-paced, hectic city, being around a large group of stressed people rushing somewhere, and having too much cluttered stuff in the home - all of them overwhelm me. In addition, social media, getting bombarded with info about who shares what, who is where, who does/likes what - all these also make my brain feel like it wants to escape from all this useless info. Thanks to this sensory overload, I've been aware that I need to live in calm and peaceful environments and maybe lead a minimalistic lifestyle and possess only what I need and use and make my living space organized and tidy.  Also, while using social media, if I see that this info doesn't add any value to my life, I try to limit that source of info, like checking some social media only on my computer, etc. 

Thanks for the survey as well. My result was 20/30 (Level 4: Highly Sensitive). 

I bolded the parts of your response that clicked the most for me. 

I mid-July I did an LSD trip just days after getting fired from my corporate job. All because I took 10 consecutive sick days due to the 115F Phoenix heat frying my nervous system. On the trip I realized something: I needed to get rid of EVERYTHING. Minimalism was a GREAT external first-step to feeling less bombarded by life.

Social media deactivation is a more challenging one. Taking down my Facebook and Twitter soon. Instagram will be tolerated as it's good to have for dating. Turned off video watch history on YouTube so it doesn't recommend a string of auto-playing videos in your face the second you log on.

Your result makes sense --- glad the survey helped!

22 hours ago, MutedMiles said:

I went through the list you shared and i scored 26/30. Not sure how objective this is but most of what you wrote, made intuitive sense to me. I avoid news and media mostly, rarely watch movies.

And my need for alone time has increased alot, so much so that i had to quit job and stay disconnected for few months to feel normal again. I designed my life in such a way that except couple of very close people no one contacts me. That's the only way i can survive for now.

What helps me most is the physical activity, running and exercising, though i feel drained mentally but when i start working out, some how i find energy and it rejuvenates me. Had to create a small home gym to complement my alone time.

Regarding data overload, what helps me these days is to avoid screens after 6 PM. I gradually trained myself to do slow contemplative reading in last few months, read alot of Ralston, Rupert and Francis Lucille, Nisargadatta, J. Krishnamurti and others. And i like to read printed books even kindle doesn't cut it for me, just engaging with these books slowly, sometimes even keep reading the same passages again and again helped..

I'm also looking forward to read what suggestions others have.

Damn, I think you got the high-score.

Props for leaving your job just to take care of yourself. That's bold.

And yeah, printed books are definitely the way. All that blue light is like consuming calories (they gotta be shat out somehow).

9 hours ago, Carl-Richard said:

I tell my brother I can feel when I've had too much soy sauce because the 2% alcohol is hitting me, and he's always like "placebo". 

What do you mean by getting to the root of? Have you optimized your micronutrients? Do your meals have proper macronutrient ratios? I find making sure you're eating enough of especially protein is good for keeping things chill and pleasant, and also veggies (think e.g. 200g meat, 120g pasta dry weight, 250g veggies). Protein (amino acids) is literally what neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, are made out of. Also, too much carbohydrates and blood sugar spikes and drops can throw you for a loop. And also for example too low vitamin D or lack of e.g. magnesium (personally I find magnesium supplements are great for making things more pleasant).

Ahh, Vitamin D. Been slacking on that one.

Thanks for sharing. Diet is SO key.

P.S. I think you were just experiencing placebo 

[Carl-Richard]

15 hours ago, WonderSeeker said:

P.S. I think you were just experiencing placebo 

What if I told you I had 75 ml of soy sauce which is equivalent to 33.3 ml of normal 4.5% beer, i.e. a shot glass or a big sip or gulp?

Edited Monday at 07:46 AM by Carl-Richard

[relativity]

I have a lot of resistance when this overstimulations occurs, because in my past it were these moments when I screwed up, behaved in weird ways and felt a lot of social anxiety. I developed a big shame habit over it and finally I realised that I am a HSP (at the age of 26). When I feel overwhelmed, I use the Sedona Method to release my resistance and shame about it and that makes it a lot easier. Bit by bit I live more in acceptance. Sometimes I am even able to release the whole overstimulation and feel completely normal afterwards.  My lifestyle is also minimal -> Lots of reading, meditation and contemplation.