People become manic when their brain is moving too quickly. Anti psychotics try to slow it down, if it slows down more than is needed the brain becomes sluggish, sleepy, working at below the ideal speed. The ideal amount to take is just enough to keep it in the normal range.

I started out taking 100mg, than 50mg, 25mg, 12.5mg, now 6.25mg. Each time I tried moving down my brain became more alert, more energy, less brain fog. After trying 3mg the brain started to race, so 6.25mg is the best level. It is the bare minimum that gets the job done.

Very occasionally the brain goes too fast. If thats the case taking something that lowers and works quickly to slow it down helps. This only applies to meds that work quickly, not like lithium which is takes a while to notice the effects.

Its like driving down the hill, the car naturally goes slightly too fast. Antispychotics are like the brakes, most of the time you only tap it to keep the car from going too fast. If the hill suddenly becomes very steep, the car is going way too fast. Tapping doesn't work, to prevent the car from going out of control you keep pushing on the breaks until it finally is going at a reasonable level.

I only do this when it comes to the brain racing, when I can sense myself possibly becoming manic. I don't take it when I can't sleep, or when Im upset or having a bad day. I don't self-medicate with it. I only do it when Im about to get into serious trouble.

I know for myself at least, if I had just doubled my regular seroquel dose I very likely would have become manic a few times. I don't understand any major, possible downsides to continuing to take extra inhibitors aslong as the brain is still going too fast. I will feel very groggy, sleepy and slow the next day or 2, but that is inconsequential compared to becoming manic.