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Euphoria is a state of significantly elevated mood, associated with considerable playfulness, a sense of carefree and general satisfaction with life. Achieving success at work may lead to the feeling of euphoria, but also various pathologies, such as mental and neurological diseases, may be associated with its appearance. So when can euphoria be considered a normally occurring emotional state, and in what cases should the appearance of euphoria lead to a visit to a doctor?

Euphoriais an emotional state that is easy to identify. The name of this emotional state comes from Greek, - the term "euphoria" is a combination of the words "eu" (understood as "good") and "phero" (which can be translated as "hold on"). However, the very origin of the name of this emotional state does not fully reflect its essence - so what is euphoria really?

What is euphoria?

In a person who experiences euphoria, this is usually easy to spot. The characteristic features of this emotional state are:

  • highly playfulness
  • extremely good (sometimes referred to as elevated) mood
  • tendency to laugh
  • feeling of carefree and freedom
  • a particular degree of satisfaction.

Anyone can fall into euphoria - there are even situations when euphoria appears in people who are extremely ill or struggle with many problems. This is due to the fact that a very large number of various situations can cause euphoria in a person.

When do people feel euphoric?

You can fall into euphoria for many different reasons. It can be felt primarily when there are special situations for us - such as obtaining a long-awaited promotion, getting into a dream field of study, having a child or winning a lottery. However, euphoria can also develop in some specific situations.

There is a termrunner's euphoria- it is a bit confusing, because in fact the described emotional state can develop after any physical activity. There are also altitude euphoria , which is caused by being on significant altitudes above sea level. In the first of these cases, when the effort lasts long enough, the body switches from aerobic metabolic changes to anaerobic processes - the result of this situation is the release of specific substances that cause euphoria (these substances will be discussed below). The same happens when staying at high altitudes - changes in the oxygen content in the air and the associated reduction in oxygen supply to the body can also lead to euphoria in humans.

Pathological conditions leading to euphoria

The euphoria associated with the promotion or birth of a descendant is absolutely no cause for concern. However, various pathologies can also lead to euphoria - the main reasons of this type of euphoria include:

  • various mental disorders and diseases (first of all, euphoria is sometimes observed in the course of episodes of mania and hypomania, as well as in schizophrenia);
  • use of various psychoactive substances (euphoria can be caused by alcohol, but also the use of drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and heroin);
  • neurological diseases (euphoria is sometimes found in patients with multiple sclerosis, but its appearance is also associated with epilepsy, migraines, and even tumors of the central nervous system);
  • side effects of medications taken by patients (the use of immunosuppressive glucocorticosteroids, but also opioid analgesics can lead to euphoria).

Contribution of neurotransmitters to the occurrence of euphoria

Dopamine

The phenomena that may be the causes of euphoria have already been described above - the mechanisms that are directly responsible for the emergence of this exceptional emotional state have not yet been agreed. Well, one of the neurotransmitters - dopamine - is responsible for the occurrence of euphoria. It is this substance that is associated with the feeling of happiness and joy by people, these feelings appear when there is an increased release of dopamine in the structures of the central nervous system. The fact that dopamine works in an "euphoric" way is argued by the fact that people who are deficient in it may simply not be able to feel happy and joyful.

Endorphins

Still other natural substances which, similarly to dopamine, have euphoric effects are endorphins. Sometimes they are referred to as" happiness hormones" and they are responsible for the euphoria of runners. Under the influence of effortphysical activity, various substances are released - some of them are endorphins - and that is why physical activity can lead to euphoria.

Important

When is euphoria a disorder?

Euphoria, as it has already been clearly stated, can appear as a result of various positive events, but can also be caused by various he alth problems. So when can euphoria be of concern? Well, if a person experiences it for a short time and then returns to his usual mood, then there is not the slightest reason to worry. It is even worse when euphoria appears in a person for a completely unknown reason and when this emotional state lasts for a long time. Such a situation may be worrying and if we notice that our loved one is euphoric very often, the causes of which are difficult for us to determine, it is advisable to encourage him to see a doctor for a checkup.

About the authorBow. Tomasz NęckiA graduate of medicine at the Medical University of Poznań. An admirer of the Polish sea (most willingly strolling along its shores with headphones in his ears), cats and books. In working with patients, he focuses on always listening to them and spending as much time as they need.

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Category:

Psychology