Euphoria is a derivative of the Greek words “well” and “pher”, which literally means “to bear”. It is different from dysphoria.
According to a 1706 English dictionary, euphoria is the feeling of being able to feel relieved or satisfied by a treatment.
In the 1860s, Thomas Laycock, an English physician, referred to euphoria as the feeling of being well-being and hopefulness. He noted that this feeling could be misplaced in the final stages of some illnesses. In 1884, psychologist ber Coca described the effects of cocaine on a healthy person. Carl Wernicke, a German neuropsychologist, referred to the phenomenon of abnormal euphoria in patients with mania.
In 1903, The Boston Daily Globe referred to euphoria as a feeling of ease and joy. In 1920, Popular Science magazine referred to it as a high-sounding name that means “feeling fit.” It refers to the feeling of being able to live a life that is worth living, as well as the use of drugs and illnesses that are commonly associated with mental disorders. Robert S. Woodworth’s seminal book on mental life states that euphoria is an organic state that is similar to feeling good.
In 1940, The Journal of Psychology referred to euphoria as a state of general well-being. A decade later, Harris Isbell, an American addiction researcher, said that ordinary feelings of well-being could be hard to evaluate, and he regarded it as a type of behavioral change similar to the effects of morphine. In 1957, D. A. Cahal, a British pharmacologist, said that opioid euphoria should not be regarded as a medically undesirable condition.
The 1977 edition of A comprehensive psychiatric journal referred to euphoria as a type of mood that is characterized by a feeling of well-being and contentment. It was also regarded as a sign of cerebral disease.
During the 21st century, euphoria has been regarded as a type of state of great happiness, excitement, and well-being. It can be referred to as normal or inappropriate when it is associated with drugs or illnesses.
What is an Euphoric State?
A euphoric state is a mood characterized by an enhanced or strong feelings of well-being, excitement, and happiness which can be triggered by various factors.
Some of the causes of euphoric mood disorders are natural. For instance, the feeling of excitement that you get when riding a roller coaster or the fulfillment that you experience after reaching a certain goal are examples of natural euphoric states.
Some of the natural causes of euphoric mood disorders include sexual desire, love, and aerobic exercise. For instance, long-distance runners describe feeling like they are in a state of euphoria when they run.
The hedonic hotspots are located in the brain’s pleasure centers. The activation of one of these hotspots results in the recruitment of other neurons. Inhibition of one of these activates another. It is believed that the activation of all hedonic hotspots within the reward system is necessary to generate the sensation of euphoria.
Although euphoric mood disorders are natural, they can also be caused by a mental health condition. For some individuals, taking psychoactive drugs can help them feel like they are in a state of euphoria.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various characteristics and causes of euphoric mood disorders. It also explores the natural ways that people can improve their chances of experiencing this condition.
What are Some Characteristics of an Euphoric mood or state?
A euphoric mood can feel very pleasurable and joyful. It can help you feel supported and safe, and it can make you feel connected to the world around you. During this time, you may also feel like you are making a strong connection with yourself and other people.
Although these feelings are a part of everyday life, they can also be hijacked by various mental health conditions. For instance, some people may have a mental illness that involves using substances.
Although euphoria is not a psychological condition, it can be a concern for people who are suffering from a medical condition or substance abuse. But when a euphoric mood is accompanied by other symptoms, it can be considered a symptom of a psychiatric condition. Some may include;
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Anxiety (1)
What are some kinds of Euphoric triggers?
Different types of stimuli can trigger euphoria, such as physical exercise, psychoactive drugs and natural triggers. For people with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or unipolar mania, experiencing euphoria can be a symptom of their condition.
Drugs
The use of drugs that induce euphoria activates the brain’s reward system, which makes them addictive. Some of these include LSD, MDMA, and cocaine. Other substances that can cause feelings of euphoria include marijuana, ketamine, and morphine.
The use of drugs (euphoriants) to induce Euphoria
A type of psychoactive substance known as a euphoriant is often used to induce a feeling of euphoria. It can also stimulate the brain’s reward system.
The use of stimulants to induce Euphoria
Psychoactive substances such as amphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine are known as euphoriants. Some people also use nicotine as a mild euphoriant. Xanthines, on the other hand, can be considered mild euphoriants.
In Southeast Asia, areca nut is commonly used to make a stimulant effect. This substance, which is also known as slaked lime, can produce euphoria. The main psychoactive substances are are arecaidine and arecoline, which are both partial agonists of the muscarinic receptor.
The use of psychedelics to induce Euphoria
Although psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin don’t have addictive properties, they can still induce a feeling of euphoria. According to a survey conducted by the Global Drug Survey, users ranked MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin as the most desirable recreational substances.
The use of depressants to induce Euphoria
Some depressants can cause euphoria. In addition to alcohol, some of the other euphoriant drugs that can be used include ketamine and hydroxybutyric acid.
Some benzodiazepines and barbiturates can also cause euphoria. The effects of these drugs are determined by their speed of onset and the dose they are given. Some of the most common types of euphoriant drugs are pentobarbital, secobarbital, and amobarbital. On the other hand, other types of euphoriant drugs such as alprazolam and flunitrazepam can enhance opioid-induced euphoria.
Pregabalin can cause dose-dependent euphoria. It can occur in a small number of individuals who are at the recommended doses. However, it can be more frequent at supratherapeutic levels. Gabapentin, another type of euphoriant drug, can also induce this condition.
Although it can be characterized as opioid-like, euphoria can also occur at different therapeutic levels. For instance, perampanel and ethosuximide can produce euphoria at therapeutic levels.
The use of cannabinoids to induce Euphoria
A class of euphoriants known as cannabinoids receptor 1 are composed of various plant-based psychoactive substances, such as THC. They can also be combined with endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide.
The use of opioids to induce Euphoria
A class of drugs known as -opioid receptor agonists are used to treat various conditions, such as pain and addiction. They can cause a mood state known as dysphoria. This is similar to how a mood state is affected when a person experiences a negative experience.
Prescription Medication
Some prescription drugs can cause euphoric effects. These include pain relievers, such as oxycodone, clonazepam, alprazolam, and nitrous oxide. Research has also shown that certain steroids, such as prednisone, can cause individuals to experience a euphoric mood.
Exercise
The effects of endorphins can be triggered by various social activities. For instance, performing music for others can stimulate the release of endorphins. It can also be triggered by being in love with someone or having sex.
A transient state of euphoria can be produced during exercise, which can involve the feeling of profound joy, satisfaction, and well-being. This type of euphoria is referred to as a “runner’s high” or a “rower’s high” in rowing or distance running. According to medical studies, certain endogenous substances such as phenethylamine, anandamide, and -endorphin are known to trigger this state.
According to medical studies, certain endogenous substances, such as phenethylamine, anandamide, and -endorphin, are known to trigger this state.
Sex
Some people describe the various stages of copulation as inducing euphoria. Various analysts have also noted that the orgasm itself is regarded as the ultimate human pleasure.
Music
The pleasure of music can be triggered by various factors, such as music-making, dancing, and emotional arousal. According to neuroimaging studies, the reward system plays a role in regulating the level of dopamine in the brain’s striatum. Music-induced arousal can also increase the neurotransmission of the chemical dopamine in the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal pathways.
About 5% of the population experiences musical anhedonia, which occurs when people don’t experience pleasure from music despite being able to perceive the intended emotional content of the music.
A clinical study conducted in 2019 revealed that the effects of different drugs on the pleasure of music can be controlled by the neurotransmission of dopamine. For the study, the researchers analyzed the effects of three different drugs on the levels of reward that people experienced after listening to music. They found that the effects of these drugs on the pleasure of music can be bidirectional.
The researchers concluded that the increased neurotransmission of dopamine can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the pleasure of music.
Fasting
Fasting can improve a person’s mood and well-being. It can also help them feel better. There are various potential applications of this practice for treating depression.
Neuropsychiatric
Epilepsy
Arousal seizures can cause euphoria, which is a rare condition that occurs when the temporal lobe is affected by an anterior insular cortex seizure. This condition is often accompanied by mystical experiences. Dysphoria, on the other hand, can also occur during periods of epileptic seizures.
This condition, which is referred to as an atypical affective disorder, is characterized by a feeling of euphoria following a seizure. Individuals who experience anxiety or depression before a seizure often experience this feeling of euphoria afterward.
Mania
A feeling of euphoria is often associated with mania or hypomania. These mental states are characterized by an increase in mood and a heightened sense of excitement. Other symptoms include grandiosity, pressure speech, and flight of ideas.
Although hypomania and mania are disorders with varying etiologies, they are most commonly associated with bipolar disorder. This condition is a psychiatric disorder that typically involves alternating episodes of depression and mania.
Multiple sclerosis
People with multiple sclerosis may experience euphoria as their condition worsens. This condition is a part of a larger disorder called euphoria sclerotica, which includes behavioral and cognitive dysfunction.
Migraine
Some people experience a euphoric state a few hours before the onset of a migraine headache. Those who experience a similar state following an episode of the illness may also feel this.
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