What is euphoria and what does it depend on?

Euphoria - what is it?

Euphoria is a state of joy and delight. This feeling of being “in seventh heaven” with happiness. Depending on its cause, euphoria can occur abruptly (splash) or calmly (smoothly). From the outside, the reasons for euphoria may not be visible, so euphoria is often considered causeless joy.

During euphoria, endorphin (the hormone of joy) is released, produced by neurons in the brain.

Euphoria can be natural, artificial and pathological.

Natural euphoria is caused by some pleasant event or news. For example, your girlfriend kissed you for the first time. And you, not noticing anyone around, with round eyes and a frozen smile on your lips, go home on the tram. And the psychiatrist sitting next to you sees his potential patient in you... Especially if this happens in our country.

Natural euphoria, like healthy laughter, has a beneficial effect on the body. It fills it with positive energy, restores strength and relieves stress.

Love euphoria is considered the most pleasant and useful. This is what we experience in a state of love, when we learn that the feelings we experience are reciprocal - that we are also loved.

In some married couples, due to the desire to experience such feelings again, partners unconsciously provoke quarrels and conflicts. When, after a many-day disagreement, the parties are reconciled, a man and a woman can feel the same euphoria as during the period of their first rapprochement.

Natural euphoria, in addition to pleasant events, can also be facilitated by:

• pleasant or favorite music
• consumption of certain foods that cause the release of the joy hormone (chocolate, fruits)
• avoiding serious danger or threat to life and health

Artificial euphoria is caused by the effects of alcohol or drugs on the body. In this state, the reaction to external stimuli usually slows down, sensitivity decreases, and the sense of reality becomes dulled.

Pathological euphoria is caused by hormonal or physiological abnormalities and mental conditions. It can occur when:

• epilepsy
• mental retardation
• schizophrenia
• psychopathy
• manic syndrome

It may be a sign of the development of a mental illness, and may also be triggered by taking psychostimulant drugs.

If someone experiences unreasonable euphoria, the person should visit a doctor or undergo a medical examination.

Pathological and artificial euphoria, unlike natural euphoria, can adversely affect human health and lead to mental exhaustion.

Symptoms of a state of euphoria

Euphoric states are accompanied by characteristic symptoms:

• causeless feeling of pleasure, joy and happiness;
• serenity, carelessness, excessive optimism;
• decrease in intellectual functions;
• active but unproductive activity;
• increased gesticulation, waving of arms;
• rapid, unintelligible and verbose speech;
• imaginative fantasies without trying to realize them;
• increased heart rate, increased blood pressure.

The main symptom is the patient’s feeling of satisfaction and serenity for a long time, for no apparent reason. Other signs may appear differently among patients, or may be absent altogether.

How long does euphoria last?

Everyone would probably like the euphoria to last forever and never go away. Natural, of course. Alas, a recipe for this has not yet been invented.

The natural euphoria can last for about half an hour. Then it weakens and fades away.

Artificial euphoria lasts longer - from 1-2 hours to a day or more, depending on the substance or drug used and its dose.

Pathological euphoria usually appears sharply and suddenly. It is poorly predictable in terms of time of occurrence and duration, and can depend on many factors.

Treatment of euphoria

To eliminate the symptoms of euphoria, you need to consult a psychiatrist. It is the specialist who can give a correct assessment of the patient’s well-being, make a diagnosis and prescribe subsequent treatment for euphoria.

Drugs and alcohol, drugs that bring with them a feeling of euphoria, are currently the most powerful factors influencing the destruction of social well-being.

People exposed to their influence require help and treatment in appropriate medical institutions - drug rehabilitation centers. It is within the walls of these organizations that they will be able to receive qualified assistance, accompanied by an individual approach to therapy.

One of the most important factors that have a positive impact on recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, leading to a state of euphoria, is the patient’s personal conviction in the harmfulness of his acquired habits with full awareness of the possible social and other consequences: loss of ability to work, personality degradation, loss from society with a clear danger for him.

Patients need comprehensive therapy under the supervision of professional specialists, since achieving results outside hospitals (at home) is simply impossible.

Why is euphoria dangerous?

The safest euphoria is love. The only possible danger associated with it is the periodic desire to experience it again. Moreover, this can manifest itself at almost any age.

The main danger of other types of euphoria is also addiction. A person likes to experience a state of euphoria, so he strives to experience it again and again. If a person does not get euphoria for a long time, he becomes depressed. He may develop apathy (opens in a new tab), depression, or another mental disorder.

The euphoria from surviving mortal danger is re-experienced by skydiving, bungee jumping or riding extreme rides.

To obtain musical euphoria, people regularly go to concerts and discos or listen to music through headphones.

With artificial euphoria, a person experiences mental and physiological addiction to the substance used (opens in a new tab). He is forced to use it regularly, constantly increasing the dose to obtain the desired effect, and often risking administrative or criminal punishment if he uses illegal drugs.

In addition, during euphoria, a person’s sense of reality is distorted. He may react inadequately to what is happening around him and commit some undesirable act or crime.

Why does euphoria occur?

A state of euphoria and exaltation develops in the human body against the background of the influence of internal and external factors.
The reasons for the appearance of a feeling of euphoria in a person are divided into:

1. natural;
2. toxic;
3. pathological.

The most harmless type of euphoria is considered to be natural. It develops against the backdrop of falling in love, playing sports, and joyful events. A pathological type that is formed as a result of brain diseases or prolonged mental disorders is considered dangerous.

Natural causes

Many people have experienced euphoria caused by natural factors.
It is not a pathological condition and does not mean the presence of serious pathologies in the human body. Most often, in this case, the winged state is caused by:

• Joyful events
  . Events that are regarded by a person as joyful, positive and pleasant lead to a rise in mood and the development of causeless happiness. An emotional uplift can occur as a result of receiving an unexpected but long-awaited gift, successfully passing a test, or a promotion at work.
• Physical exercise
  . Many athletes experience bursts of happiness when overcoming long distances and setting record numbers. Some experience euphoria in cases where they manage to overcome themselves: overcome laziness, get rid of weakness and fatigue. In psychology there is even such a thing as runner's euphoria.
• Music
  . Musical euphoria occurs when listening to pleasant and rhythmic melodies. It is believed that such states are caused by meditation compositions, as well as melodies performed using a tambourine, rattles or drum. When musical euphoria appears, a person feels exaltation, pleasure, his body is covered with goosebumps, and a slight trembling appears.
• Love
  . The period of falling in love, lasting more than 2 months and accompanied by a strong feeling of attachment, is accompanied by intense production of happiness hormones and an increase in the functioning of the central nervous system. This leads to the onset of a slight intoxicating feeling of joy, happiness, and inspiration. However, euphoria in the case of falling in love can be replaced by a bad mood, namely a feeling of melancholy, sadness, obsessive thoughts about the object of love, and fear of separation. As the relationship strengthens and lovers get used to each other, euphoria begins to appear less frequently and less intensely.
• Events that threaten life
  . Extreme cases (road accidents, fire) lead to temporary changes in mental state. Severe stress provokes the appearance of emotional shock, which is replaced by a euphoric state, a feeling of alienation, unity with one’s body. Most often, such a mood develops in those who were in a dangerous situation, but were not harmed in it.

Important!

Prayers, breathing exercises, and creative activities can also lead to euphoria.

Toxic causes

Toxic euphoria appears against the background of alcohol or drug intoxication.
Most often, such conditions do not last long. They are replaced by a depressive mood, a feeling of loneliness and devastation. Sometimes the feeling of euphoria leads to severe aggression. The following lead to improved mood:

• Alcohol
  . Causeless joy and increased strength are the typical state of a person who has consumed alcohol slightly more than the permissible limit. The surge of strength in this case can last from 30 minutes to several hours. At this time, people observe increased physical and speech activity, high self-esteem, self-confidence, and disinhibition. Often alcoholic euphoria is replaced by a depressive mood, moral devastation or irritability.
• Drugs
  (smoking mixtures). When smoking narcotic weed, a person gets a feeling of inspiration, carelessness, and joy. People may feel a surge of strength, a desire to share a joyful mood with someone, or lack of restraint. Using drugs in unlimited quantities leads to an uncontrollable feeling of joy. Impaired coordination of movements, severe retardation. Toxic happiness is replaced by aggression and a feeling of depression.

Euphoria also develops in those people who take drugs belonging to the group of opiates and hallucinogens.
These products have a psychostimulating effect on the human body. It causes attacks of causeless happiness, severe agitation, and difficulty speaking. Under the influence of drugs, a person may have difficulty recognizing the speech of interlocutors, wandering into happy thoughts, and answering questions late.

Pathological causes

Euphoria, which appears frequently and lasts a long time, is the cause of some psychological abnormalities and brain pathologies.
In this case, the patient experiences regular bouts of elevation, complacency, and bliss. These conditions are typical for:

• Bipolar disorder
  . With bipolar disorder, a person experiences bouts of unreasonable joy and happiness, which are replaced by a depressive mood, a feeling of loneliness, irritability, and self-hatred. The duration of euphoria in bipolar disorder can last up to 1 day.
• Hyperthymic psychopathy
  . The disease is accompanied by euphoric states, which manifest themselves in the form of excessive sociability, excitement, and energy. A good mood periodically gives way to depression. However, it doesn't last long. Most of the time a person is in a state of mania and an eternal search for new experiences. These people need new emotions, so they periodically get involved in various adventures.
• Schizophrenia
  . Euphoric mood is characteristic of many forms of schizophrenia. It is accompanied by the development of causeless joy, foolishness, and emotional inadequacy. Pathological euphoria is replaced by anxiety, depression, and a feeling of loneliness. Causeless joy and happiness also manifest themselves in diseases such as mental retardation and Pick's disease.

Important!

There are frequent cases of euphoric mood during the development of malignant tumors in the brain. Oncological processes are often accompanied by emotional attacks, inadequate humor, and physical inactivity.

How does euphoria manifest itself?

Euphoria does not imply noticeable motor activity. A person, being in a state of bliss and happiness, can move very little, and sometimes he even remains “ inhibited

“a condition characterized by a slowdown in intellectual processes.
In a state of euphoria, a person demonstrates a pathologically complacent and joyful mood
. He seems to look at the world and the people around him through rose-colored glasses, demonstrating optimism that nothing can disturb. The pathological nature of euphoria is also characterized by the fact that even negative and tragic events in life a person, being in a state of euphoria, perceives joyfully. There is also reduced criticism of the disease: the patient does not agree that his condition is not normal. There is no desire for active activity or acceleration of thinking.

Doctors note that euphoria in some manifestations resembles the beginning of the development of a manic state

. But if a manic state develops constantly and independently, then the causes of euphoria are always specific, and its duration and severity depend on them.

Causes

The causes and mechanisms for the development of euphoria lie in inhibition of the cerebral cortex and disinhibition (overexcitation) of subcortical structures. This can be caused by both diseases and non-painful conditions:

• Resolving a conflict or significant problem, achieving an important and useful result.
• Love.
• Influence of art: music, literature, images, etc.
• Alcohol intoxication, drug intoxication.
• Infections and poisoning.
• Organic mental disorders, mental retardation.
• Psychoses, schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
• Personality disorders.

Atrophy of the anterior parts of the cerebral cortex (for example, in Pick's disease) leads to chronic euphoria against a background of disinhibition and dementia. An increase in endorphin levels in the blood also causes euphoria.

Euphoria and depression

Often emotional highness precedes a depressive state. It is not difficult to understand the mechanism of this phenomenon.

Emotional elevation is considered a lesser degree of depressive reaction. The overexcited ego of the individual initially behaves as if he were participating in a hidden miraculous event, but over time, self-esteem and self-confidence dissolve, which leads to the destruction of illusions.

The energy charge recedes, which excites the peripheral structures of the body, after which the omnipotent ego becomes helpless and powerless. The individual is deprived of volitional efforts, since depression oppresses him and takes away the opportunity to mobilize himself.

In a healthy person, the swings between euphoria and depression are smooth, so excitement is a natural reaction to almost any positive event, and the prospect gives a powerful boost of energy. In this state, a person is able to feel pleasure and joy even without euphoria.

If the prospect or event does not bring the expected results, the person will be sad, but depression will still be very far away, since the new situation is not a problem for a healthy person.

Euphoria, drugs and alcohol.

Most likely, many people know that alcohol and drugs are classified as substances that cause changes in human consciousness. Thus, when intoxicated with these substances, people can experience a feeling of joy, calmness and satisfaction. But there is also a flip side to this medal. The bottom line is that a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs quickly gets used to euphoric or near-euphoric states. Ordinary, everyday life becomes gray and boring over time, which in turn leads to addiction to alcohol or drugs. So, in the pursuit of euphoria, many drug overdoses and similar situations occur.

In addition to the use of various substances, some people, in an effort to experience such sensations, practice the technique of stopping breathing, both in a sexual context and without it. Although hypoxia results in short-term euphoria, the practice is responsible for many accidental deaths around the world.

In psychiatry

For psychiatrists, euphoria is a symptom that is a signal of trouble in the brain and an indicator of altered consciousness, equivalent to a state of stupor. Characteristic is not only a slowdown and simplification of thinking, but a decrease in receptivity and sensitivity (for example, pain). Euphoria is one of the symptoms characteristic of dementia. One of the types of psychoorganic syndrome or encephalopathy (organic brain damage) is called euphoric. In addition to dementia and psychoorganic syndrome, euphoria can be a symptom of the following psychiatric diseases: psychosis, mania, epilepsy, personality disorders, mental retardation, etc.

Musical euphoria

The condition in question is not always a consequence of bad reactions of the body. For example, a separate type of it is musical euphoria, which occurs as a result of a person falling into a trance state while listening to individual musical compositions.

A state of this kind is achieved with the help of pleasant rhythms and repetitions of small fragments of melodies. With this feeling, the listener falls into a trance, demonstrating a joyful and sometimes pathologically complacent mood. One example of favorable rhythms is the Beatles.

In addition, this is an experiment by sociologists on the topic of changing consciousness, which has no analogues before. Everything in the world is a measure, a sign and a number. The bodies of the material world are subject to the laws of vibration and resonance. All this can bring harmony, but at the same time destruction.

Consequently, the popularity of the Beatles was created artificially by English and American scientists from the field of sociology.

>h2> Causes of euphoria

The causes of pathology can be natural or artificial.

Let's look at both categories:

• potent medications;
• alcohol and drugs;
• love;
• good news, achievements and successes;
• work or hobby;
• physical or psychological trauma;
• love for children can provoke so-called maternal euphoria;
• listening to musical compositions.