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Everybody has different definitions of euphoria, for some, it might be simply spending time with a loved one, or for others, it might be getting their dream job. But what does euphoria mean?
I bet you must have watched or heard about “Euphoria.” Yes, where “Zendaya“ is the lead actress, the whole show is about a group of high school students navigating love and friendships1 in a world of drugs, sex, trauma, and social media.
But in this article, we will not be discussing the show, but the actual meaning of the word/feeling.
What does Euphoria Mean?
Many of us watch a show without realizing it revolves around us, don’t we? Yes, we do. After all, we were watching the series because Zendaya was the lead. Ah, just joking around. No offence, though. I was watching this show the other day, and the show’s title caught my eye.
A second later, I read articles on the net about “What is Euphoria,” and I was amazed. It was worth reading those articles, and it took a lot of time to read them.
Don’t worry, there is no need for you to go there on the net, spend your precious time and read those boring articles. I am here. Let me explain to you what “Euphoria” actually means. Like what is euphoria? How do you experience euphoria2? I will answer your questions!
This article explains all you need to know about euphoria and 7 ways to achieve it naturally!
What are “Euphoria” and Initial Euphoria?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of euphoria is coined as tremendous happiness, sometimes more than is justified in a given situation. The word “euphoria” is derived from the Ancient Greek word, eu meaning “well” and pherō meaning “to bear.”
Both euphoria and initial euphoria are the same, the initial feeling of great happiness that occurs when a high amount of dopamine is released.
Example: The initial euphoria victory of the students has now subsided. The synonyms of the word euphoria are (noun) happiness, joy, excitement, mania, etc.
Euphoria and the term “getting high” are not the same but getting high is due to the euphoric state of mind. It frequently conjures up images of a drug-induced mood of euphoric escape and pleasure.3
This sensation, for several individuals, is indeed the irresistible magnet that lures them to go back to drugs and alcohol—or it acts like a gateway drug that takes consumers from the least harmful drugs to harsher narcotics which can lead to death.
What is a Natural High?
On the other hand, a natural high is not synthetic and thus should not carry the same hazards of overdose and other major health problems.4 You may be able to obtain many of the same great, joyful emotions without the risk of addiction if you learn how to get high organically.
Creating a high-like experience without drugs may sound uncommon, but it is not impossible.
A natural high can be obtained by doing anything that activates and boosts the brain’s inherent supplies of feel-good neurotransmitters, such as dopamine.
Dopamine, widely known as the “pleasure neurotransmitter5,” responds to a range of pleasurable events that do not necessitate drugs or alcohol. The important thing is to find the experience that makes you happy.
Remember that medications alter the brain’s function to achieve a different aim. While this has negative repercussions, other ways can help you transform your brain for the better (and still be pleasurable).
How do Drugs Produce Intense Feelings?
It all depends on how the drugs react with the brain. More specifically, as defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these substances alter the way neurons in the brain function, including how they send and receive information and process and exchange signals via neurotransmitters.
These drugs hinder the ability of the brain to function and make proper decisions. You lose a check and control of reality and have all forms of hallucinations.6 Practically you enter a state of intense happiness, which is also defined as euphoria.
Have you heard of addictive medicine? Addictive medicine affects how neurons and neurotransmitters function to provide their extreme high.
When an addictive medication interferes with the brain’s regular messaging signals, the basal ganglia do not get the necessary message signals and over-activates, resulting in an intense, highly addictive surge of pleasure.
But note that a person who continues to use the drugs will eventually find it difficult to find pleasure in anything other than the drugs.
When a person uses drugs to get high, he welcomes a certain amount of tension, anxiety, and irritation. The need for these emotions gets more and more as time passes by.
The brain governs these emotions, and when the effect of the drugs 7wears off, the brain demands more; thus this tension and suffering only strengthen the need to get high again. Hence the person forms an addiction to it.
Signs of a Euphoric Mood: What Does Euphoria Mean
When a person is euphoric, they may feel exceedingly cheerful and delightful. You may feel comfortable and supported, and your excitement will be higher than ever.
At the same time, you are in a euphoric condition, you may have a high sense of well-being and an intense sense of connection to people and the rest of the world.
Such feelings are indeed a natural component of life and assist in inspiring people to engage in healthy actions and cherish the moment. However, this feeling can be exaggerated by drugs or experienced in conjunction with other symptoms of mental illness.
Although euphoria isn’t a psychiatric illness in and of itself, it might be concerning when combined with a medical condition such as bipolar disorder or when the well-being of a person is altered.
Euphoric emotions related to mental illnesses or the use of drugs can also be accompanied by additional symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Restlessness
What does Dopamine do?
Dopamine is a popular term that you may have heard in popular culture. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter or a substance in the brain that is responsible for sending messages between nerve cells in the brain. It has been related to drugs, adrenaline, and brain science.
Dopamine is released when dopamine neurons are stimulated. Dopamine neurons play an important role in driving reward-related behaviour.
When something nice comes unexpectedly, they might become activated. Furthermore, many misused medications produce dopamine release, contributing to their addictiveness.
Dopamine is flooded into the circuit by drugs. Overstimulating the system with drugs produces euphoria, which encourages the use of drugs. Your brain is thus conditioned to repeat these behaviours by connecting drug use with pleasure or reward.
When the reward circuit is triggered, the brain understands that something significant is happening and that it should be remembered. It trains us to do it repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
Drugs activate the same circuit, so they are misused in the same way. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, certain medicines can produce 2 to 10 times the number of natural rewards.
In certain circumstances, this can happen instantly, and the consequences can continue considerably longer than those described above.
So, what does euphoria mean? And how does dopamine support it? Hope you know that now!
Impact of Euphoria
Euphoria is among the most pleasurable mental states, yet its great pleasure can be troublesome when caused by addictive medications. When individuals consume a narcotic and feel exhilaration, people want to experience that feeling again.
Endorphins provide pleasurable feelings that cause us to feel euphoric. Psychoactive chemicals cause a “burst” of endorphins and other neurotransmitters inside the reward and pleasure circuit.
Endorphins are naturally released when we appreciate something pleasurable, such as indulging in a creative endeavour. On the other hand, drugs generate a greater level of endorphins than what we do naturally.
People need to take more and more medicine to feel its effects over time. Withdrawal symptoms and feelings of dysphoria might occur if the medications are not taken.
Tolerance is a phenomenon that occurs when it takes more of a drug to continue having the same enjoyable effects. People must then consume more of the drug to maintain their high feelings.
Treatment: What Does Euphoria Mean
Euphoria is a pleasurable human emotion that is not a psychological condition in and of itself, but it can occasionally be a symptom or indicator of one.
If you are feeling euphoria and other indicators of a mental health disorder, you should consult your healthcare professional.
The type of illness determines the medication for your fundamental ailment, creating a euphoric feeling. Psychotherapy may be recommended by your doctor or therapist, although some illnesses may necessitate the use of drugs to help reduce symptoms.
Your unique treatment approach may include a combination of counselling, medication, lifestyle modifications, and social support in many circumstances.
How to Experience Euphoria Naturally?
What does euphoria mean when no drugs are involved? Using chemicals to produce euphoric states is dangerous and can overdose in some situations. Fortunately, there are ways to experience ecstatic sensations without using mind-altering medications.
A physiological high from the other side can make you feel better in general. Peak experiences are intense, awe-inspiring joys that are frequently accompanied by emotions of surprise, ecstasy, and deep significance.
The following are some things you might attempt to boost your chances of obtaining a natural high.
1. Exercise
Endorphins, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin are among the feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters released during intense exercise.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that alleviate pain while increasing euphoria and well-being. Moderate-intensity activity has been shown in studies to raise endorphin levels.
Athletes, for instance, may encounter a “runner’s high” as a consequence of the increasing effects of adrenaline and other neurotransmitters.
Exercise has also been related to a variety of good mental health effects, including depression reduction, cognitive enhancement, and general mood improvement.
2. Humour
A good chuckle isn’t simply enjoyable or entertaining; it may also be beneficial to your mental health. Laughter causes the production of endorphins, which can make you feel happier and more euphoric.
3. Socialize
Socializing improves general wellness and lowers the chance of loneliness. Spending time with friends might also make you feel better.
4. Volunteering
Doing nice things for others might make you feel more connected to others. It’s an excellent approach to foster a feeling of community and automatically boost one’s mood.
Volunteering enhances mental health, physical health, and social well-being. It also reduces depressive symptoms and increases general life happiness.
5. Creating New Goals
Well, if were you, I wouldn’t want a dopamine crash. You don’t want your natural spikes to go high and crash and burn. You may have a consistent stream of accomplishment and adrenaline that co-occurs by continually generating new objectives before current ones are completed.
Small victories may be celebrated, team members and staff can be encouraged with a bonus or an email, and future inspiration can be actively encouraged.
6. Sex
What does euphoria mean in physical terms?
Balance is important in many aspects of life, including sex. Intimacy, or perhaps more precisely, an orgasm has been connected to physiological highs and provides pleasure and a profound connection with your partner.
Sex relieves tension and can even promote tiredness, allowing for a restful night’s sleep. However, sex may be used to replace addiction. Its heights can be sought after in the same way as narcotics might.
7. Yoga
Ask people involved in yoga what does euphoria mean, they will show you!
Yoga, also known as pranayama, combines mental, spiritual, and physical practices. Pranayama and 12-step counselling both have a mind-body-spirit link, no coincidence.
Breathing methods will assist you in focusing your attention on connecting your spirit with your body. This feeling is more relaxed and less worried and stimulates your pleasure center to seek more meditation.
8. Cook and Enjoy a Meal
If wondering about what does euphoria mean with the bare minimum, it’s food!
Food, like exercise and sex, may be overdone. Cooking and eating a nutritious meal, on the other hand, may provide you with a lot of delight. Not only are the processes of a dish rewarding but the flavours and aromas of a superb meal may be intoxicating.
Dopamine is automatically increased by eating excellent food. That is also why some people develop a food addiction. Maintain a balanced diet and prepare your meals ahead of time.
The best thing about these insights is that drugs have never been and have never been the answer. Using all of the techniques above, you can feel wonderful naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a state of euphoria and what does euphoria mean?
It is a feeling (or emotion) of joy or thrill and high sentiments of happiness and well-being.
2. What are the signs of being euphoric?
You may feel at ease, encouraged, and carefree when you happen to be in a euphoric state. You may feel an elevated feeling of well-being and an overwhelming feeling of connection to others and the entirety of the world or everyone you know.
3. What is extreme euphoria feeling?
Feeling overjoyed or joyful, even ecstatic has one big outcome, which is not sleeping or simply obtaining a few hours of rest but waking refreshed, and ready/excited to embark on a new day.
Summary
I hope the word of the day might have made you learn something new, euphoria is better when it’s natural rather than having it with the usage of drugs.
Now that you know what does euphoria mean, success can be measured based on your self-confidence, well-being, and the great happiness you’re striving for, the joy which comes naturally is the best.
When you are into completing and setting new goals, that would be the best way to succeed in terms of achieving euphoria. Stay happy and euphoric!
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- Sinanan, Jolynna, and Catherine Gomes. “‘Everybody needs friends’: Emotions, social networks and digital media in the friendships of international students.” International Journal of Cultural Studies 23.5 (2020): 674-691. ↩︎
- Beischel, Will J., Stéphanie EM Gauvin, and Sari M. van Anders. ““A little shiny gender breakthrough”: Community understandings of gender euphoria.” International Journal of Transgender Health 23.3 (2022): 274-294. ↩︎
- Bruckner, Pascal. Perpetual euphoria: On the duty to be happy. Princeton University Press, 2020. ↩︎
- Muhammad, Faisal, Jamil Hassan Abdulkareem, and ABM Alauddin Chowdhury. “Major public health problems in Nigeria: a review.” South East Asia Journal of Public Health 7.1 (2017): 6-11. ↩︎
- Sayin, H. U. “Getting high on dopamine: Neuro scientific aspects of pleasure.” SexuS J 4 (2019): 883-906. ↩︎
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- Perucca, Piero, and Frank G. Gilliam. “Adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs.” The lancet neurology 11.9 (2012): 792-802. ↩︎
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