Can mental clarity / acuity come in bursts on a regular (monthly) cycle?

November 19, 2013 8:19 PM

Can mental clarity / acuity come in bursts on a regular (monthly) cycle?

For nearly 2 decades I've found that I have a remarkable burst of "mental clarity" for 1-3 days of every month, and this almost always occurs right around the 20th of the month.

I recognize that this could be psychosomatic or I may be finding patterns where there are none. But it's been so consistent for so long that I doubt it's a coincidence.

The "symptoms" are fairly consistent:

- I find myself thinking about and analyzing *something* in a nearly all-consuming way. The *something* varies (solving a problem at home/work, a philosophical question, a creative project, etc.), but I experience a remarkable compulsion to contemplate and analyze this *something* very thoroughly and deeply for 1-3 days. (It doesn't hinder my ability to work full time or support my family, but it occupies most of my spare time and often keeps me up late into the night--just writing or thinking).

-My mind races (but not frantically) and ideas come to me in floods. I have almost no choice but to write them down.

-I tend to become more analytical than usual, and can break down various problems, tasks, projects, etc. into logical, systematic solutions. (Often where a solution has eluded me previously). I am inspired to make flowcharts and checklists.

-I come up with my best ideas and insights, and experience bursts of productivity on creative projects.

-I am considerably less interested in diversions (TV, internet, etc.) than on a typical day.

To be fair, I can (and do) experience some of these on any given day of the month. The difference is in the intensity and inescapable compulsion with which they all hit right around the 20th. (Interestingly, I never expect it -- I just find myself in the "zone" and then I check the date).

I guess my question would be: is this a known phenomenon (in psychology, neuroscience), and if so, where can I read more about it? Beyond that, I'd be interested in hearing if others have similar experiences, and any advice for harnessing it.

FYI:
-I am male (no ovulation cycle, at least I hope not).
-I have no "mental issues" of which I am aware (no depression, mania, SAD, etc.)
-The "stuff" I come up with during this period (writing, insights, creative work, problem-solving system, etc.) is often my best work, and it's still "good" when I look at it later. (i.e. this is not just some euphoria/mania causing me to overestimate what I'm doing in the moment).

posted by Alabaster to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

I read somewhere that men DO have a 'cycle', just less pronounced.

I absolutely experience something similar, and it follows my hormonal cycle...which is much more obvious since I'm female.
posted by jrobin276 at 10:57 PM on November 19, 2013

I'm not sure you're going to find a precise reason but what you describe shares properties with cyclothymia (which does not require major depressive episodes, but can be very mild depressive episodes which you might not even really identify as "depression" due to their short lived nature).
posted by wackybrit at 4:54 AM on November 20, 2013

Men have a 24h testosterone cycle; peaks in the morning (hence, morning woodie) and decreases along the day (unless some kind of activity peaks it again, like weight lifting).

Is there anything else in your life that may be co-current? Is your wife less interested in sex at that time (therefore you are channeling your energy into other activities)? Work-wise? Family-wise? Is there someone / something that 'sets you off' into these periods of concentration? Something bothering you, and as an avoidance you can become uber focused elsewhere?

If you can follow through with these ideas *after* the focused time has passed, then I wouldn't jump to a 'mania' conclusion. But if you do not execute on the ideas after the episode, if the energy isn't consistently applied to developing an idea or a project, then it could be a very low grade mania. The ideas may still be great, but the impetus to complete them has passed, until the next cycle.

I (woman) have these moments too (usually Monday morning 9am when suddenly all my creativity shows up... sigh....).
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:27 AM on November 20, 2013

I was about to come in and enthusiastically say, "yes!" But then, you're a man. And, frankly, there doesn't seem to be much regarding a monthly hormonal cycle. And even for women, it seems that other than the basic fluctuations that go along with ovulation, not much has been mapped other than anaecdotally. For instance, some monthly markers of my hormones are: a couple days of extreme productivity, about a week of feeling that I am a horrible person, some days of lackluster hair and skin, tooth sensitivity and propensity to bite the inside of my cheek. I'm serious. Every month I go through a regular, seemingly bizarre, set of cues that my hormones are fluctuating.

I have observed regular mood changes in my husband, too. I have the sense that if he has a regular "cycle" that it's a bit longer in duration than mine. But without a distinct marker, like a period, it's hard to make sense of it.

There have been studies that new fathers experience a drop in testosterone with the birth of their baby. Men who actively care for their child have lower testosterone while engaged in that care. Makes a huge amount of sense given how distracting testosterone could be when you have a demanding, young infant.

Honestly, I think there's a bit of a stigma to the idea that men have a cycle. I know when I've brought it up with men in my circle before they've reacted all aghast at the idea. But it actually seems much more likely than not, there's utility in having fluctuating hormones – it's the make-a-baby drive balanced against the get-out-and-be-productive in society.

I think you should talk to your doctor about it if you have concerns or curiosity though if they aren't a specialist in this area, they may be extremely unhelpful. For me, when I notice the "manic" phase of extreme productivity, I take advantage of it. I know I've got about two days to really get through something awesome so I just go for it. It's like a temporary, unmediated superpower!
posted by amanda at 6:53 AM on November 20, 2013 [1 favorite]

You might find the concept of Infradian rhythm of interest.

I never expect it -- I just find myself in the "zone" and then I check the date

If you want to harness it, schedule your time so that you will be able to take advantage.
posted by yohko at 2:15 PM on November 20, 2013

Do you have anything job-related or otherwise that happens monthly? Like, you always have to do X in the first week of the month, and maybe you are rebounding from that on the 20th?

For those postulating some kind of hormonal cycling, if it's the 20th of every month, there is not the same number of days between it each time, so it is unlikely to be linked to, for example, a female partner's cycle (which would not be consistently anything on exactly the 20th of the month for 20 years).
posted by freezer cake at 3:20 PM on November 20, 2013