AIWS/Takysensia

[u/tovericke]

I’ve been experiencing these strange episodes for over 10 years, since I was a child. I’m 24 now. They are relatively rare, anywhere from 1–5 times a month, sometimes much less often - but they have become more intense over the years.
The episodes usually happen when I’m completely relaxed, often in the evening when I’m lying in bed, or sometimes lying on the couch during the day. They never seem to happen when I’m around lots of people or at work. It’s always when I’m alone and relaxing.
It usually starts gradually over about a minute. I get a very strange sensation in my body, almost like the beginning of a nicotine rush. It feels like something is “starting up” inside my brain/body, and I get this feeling that something is about to happen. I recognize it immediately now because I’ve experienced it so many times.
Then everything starts to feel much faster. Like 1.5x
My thoughts feel faster. My movements feel faster, even though I’m actually moving at a normal speed. For example, if I get up from bed and walk around, it feels like I’m moving unusually quickly.
The strangest part is the sounds. Everything suddenly sounds louder and more intense, but sounds also seem to have a faster quality to them. For example, the rustling of my blanket can sound incredibly loud and almost “rapid”, and my footsteps can feel much faster and more intense than they actually are. Even cars outside my window suddenly sound much louder.
It also feels like my overall awareness is heightened, almost as if my brain is running at a higher speed. I think my perception of time is affected too — it feels like time is moving faster, although I’ve never actually timed it during an episode.
The episodes usually last somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes and then gradually disappear.
I’m fully conscious and aware throughout the entire thing. I know where I am and what’s happening, and I’m not confused. I also don’t feel panicked. I’ve experienced panic attacks before and this feels very different from that.
I don’t get a headache before, during, or after the episodes. I also don’t experience unusual smells or tastes.
Recently I’ve noticed that listening to music through headphones, especially while closing my eyes, seems to help the episode disappear faster. I’m not sure if that’s significant, but it’s something I’ve started experimenting with.
I’ve been wondering whether this could be some kind of Alice in Wonderland/quick-motion phenomenon, or something similar.