Another way of looking at that experience is that you developed tolerance to crushes. I suspect that simple olfactory and visual cues drive crushing. But whatever the mechanisms, my experience has been very similar.
Yes it is much like alcohol - the first time you try it can be a bit of a disaster, but unless you are an alcoholic you learn how to imbibe without wrecking your life. The more you drink in moderation the better you handle the effects.
