When Is Extreme Happiness a Sign of Something Deeper?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsTypesImpactTreatmentHow to Boost Euphoric Moods

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Impact

Treatment

How to Boost Euphoric Moods

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Some causes of euphoric moods are natural and healthy. The thrill and sense of excitement you get on a roller coaster at an amusement park, or the sense of joy and fulfillment you experience after you reach an important goal are both examples of natural euphoric moods.

But euphoric moods are not always a positive thing. Sometimes feelings of euphoria can be a symptom of a mental health condition. In other instances, people takepsychoactive drugsto experience the rush of a euphoric mood.

At a GlanceEuphoric moods can happen naturally when you are feeling good, but they can also be a sign of a mental health condition. The desire to experience the elevated rush of this type of mood can also lead people to engage in risky behaviors and substance use. Keep reading to learn more about the characteristics, types, and causes of euphoric moods. We’ll also take a closer look at the ways that you can naturally improve your chances of experiencing a euphoric mood.

At a Glance

Euphoric moods can happen naturally when you are feeling good, but they can also be a sign of a mental health condition. The desire to experience the elevated rush of this type of mood can also lead people to engage in risky behaviors and substance use. Keep reading to learn more about the characteristics, types, and causes of euphoric moods. We’ll also take a closer look at the ways that you can naturally improve your chances of experiencing a euphoric mood.

Signs of a Euphoric Mood

When you are experiencing a euphoric mood, it can feel extremely joyful and pleasurable. When you are in a euphoric state, you may feel safe, supported, and carefree. You may experience a strong sense of well-being and a feeling that you are deeply connected to others and the rest of the world.

While euphoria itself is not a psychological condition, a euphoric mood may be a concern when associated with a health condition, medication, or illicit substance.

Types of Euphoric Moods

Some specific types of euphoric moods include:

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Impact of Euphoric Moods

Euphoria is one of the most pleasant mental states, but it is this extreme pleasure that can make it problematic when it is the result of an addictive drug. Once people take a substance and experience feelings of euphoria, they want to experience this feeling again.

Psychoactive substances produce a “surge” of endorphins and otherneurotransmittersin the brain’s reward circuit. Endorphins are released naturally when we experience enjoyable things, such as engaging in a creative activity.

However, drugs produce a higher level of endorphins than we normally produce on our own. These high levels of endorphins create pleasurable sensations that make us feel euphoric.

As time goes on, people need to take more and more of a drug to feel its effects at all. Not taking the drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms andfeelings of dysphoria.

Over time, it often takes more of a substance to keep experiencing the same pleasurable feelings, a phenomenon known as tolerance. In order to keep feeling those same euphoric moods, people then need to take more of the substance.

Treatment for Euphoric Mood

Euphoria is a pleasant emotional state and is not a mental health condition on its own, but it can sometimes be a symptom or sign of a mental health condition.

The treatment for your underlying condition that is causing the euphoric mood depends on the nature of the condition. Your doctor or therapist may recommendpsychotherapy, but some conditions may also require the use of medications to help control symptoms.

In many cases, your specific treatment plan may involve a combination of therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and social support.

How to Experience Euphoric Moods Naturally

Using substances to achieve euphoric moods is risky and can lead toaddictionand overdose in some cases. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to experience euphoric moods without the use of mind-altering substances.

A natural high, on the other hand, can help boost your overall sense of well-being. These experiences are akin to what the humanistic psychologistAbraham Maslowreferred to as “peak experiences.”

Some things you can try to increase your chances of experiencing a “natural high” include the following listed below.

Exercise

Physical exercise triggers the release of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters including endorphins, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin.

Endorphinsare neurotransmitters that reduce feelings of pain and increase feelings of pleasure and well-being. Research has found that engaging in moderate-intensity exercise can increase your endorphin levels.

Humor

A good laugh isn’t just fun or entertaining—it can actually be good for your mental health. Research has shown that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which can help put you in a happier, more euphoric state.

Meditation

People who meditate regularly experience greater relaxation and less stress. Research also suggests that the practice can boost endorphin levels in the body.

Evidence also suggests that even a brief daily meditation can have a positive effect on mood.If you want tostart a daily meditation practice, set aside 10 to 15 minutes a day.

Socialize

Spending time with other people can also contribute to increased mood. Research has found that having social support is critical to emotional well-being.It boosts overall health andreduces the risk of loneliness. Spending time with friends can also just help you feel good.

Volunteering

Doing good things for others can help you feel more connected to other people. It’s a great way to experience a sense of community and experience improved moods naturally.

Participating in volunteering activities improves mental health, physical health, and social well-being. It also decreases symptoms of depression and improves overall life satisfaction.

Keep in Mind

A euphoric mood can feel amazing and boost your well-being–as long this euphoria is due to a natural and healthy cause. Drug addiction often leads people to keep using substances even when they experience serious negative consequences, and their addiction is often rooted in chasing the euphoric moods that drugs produce.

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to experience a euphoric mood naturally. Such natural highs can be a great way to boost your mood and improve your overall health and well-being.

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20 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Euphoria. APA Dictionary of Psychology.Fuss J, Steinle J, Bindila L, et al.A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015;112(42):13105-13108. doi:10.1073/pnas.1514996112American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly used drugs charts.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W.Recreational nitrous oxide use: Prevalence and risks.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015;73(3):790-796. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.10.017Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 13(2):214-223.Huynh G, Reinert JP.Pharmacological management of steroid-induced psychosis: A review of patient cases.J Pharm Technol. 2021;37(2):120-126. doi:10.1177/8755122520978534Weinstein D, Launay J, Pearce E, Dunbar RI, Stewart L.Group music performance causes elevated pain thresholds and social bonding in small and large groups of singers.Evol Hum Behav. 2016;37(2):152-158. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2015.10.002Bramwell RC, Streetman AE, Besenyi GM.The effect of outdoor and indoor group exercise classes on psychological stress in college students: A pilot study with randomization.Int J Exerc Sci. 2023;16(5):1012-1024.Leonti M, Casu L.Ethnopharmacology of love.Front Pharmacol.2018;9. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00567National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain. Drugs, Brain, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.Heijnen S, Hommel B, Kibele A, Colzato LS.Neuromodulation of Aerobic Exercise-A Review.Front Psychol. 2016;6:1890. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01890Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: a critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-yLouie D, Brook K, Frates E.The laughter prescription: A tool for lifestyle medicine.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(4):262-267. doi:10.1177/1559827614550279Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: a prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:7928981. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981Basso JC, McHale A, Ende V, Oberlin DJ, Suzuki WA.Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators.Behav Brain Res. 2019;356:208-220. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.023Johnson KV, Dunbar RI.Pain tolerance predicts human social network size.Sci Rep. 2016;6:25267. doi:10.1038/srep25267Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY.Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms[published correction appears in BMC Public Health. 2017 Sep 22;17 (1):736].BMC Public Health. 2017;18(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8

20 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Euphoria. APA Dictionary of Psychology.Fuss J, Steinle J, Bindila L, et al.A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015;112(42):13105-13108. doi:10.1073/pnas.1514996112American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly used drugs charts.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W.Recreational nitrous oxide use: Prevalence and risks.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015;73(3):790-796. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.10.017Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 13(2):214-223.Huynh G, Reinert JP.Pharmacological management of steroid-induced psychosis: A review of patient cases.J Pharm Technol. 2021;37(2):120-126. doi:10.1177/8755122520978534Weinstein D, Launay J, Pearce E, Dunbar RI, Stewart L.Group music performance causes elevated pain thresholds and social bonding in small and large groups of singers.Evol Hum Behav. 2016;37(2):152-158. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2015.10.002Bramwell RC, Streetman AE, Besenyi GM.The effect of outdoor and indoor group exercise classes on psychological stress in college students: A pilot study with randomization.Int J Exerc Sci. 2023;16(5):1012-1024.Leonti M, Casu L.Ethnopharmacology of love.Front Pharmacol.2018;9. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00567National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain. Drugs, Brain, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.Heijnen S, Hommel B, Kibele A, Colzato LS.Neuromodulation of Aerobic Exercise-A Review.Front Psychol. 2016;6:1890. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01890Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: a critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-yLouie D, Brook K, Frates E.The laughter prescription: A tool for lifestyle medicine.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(4):262-267. doi:10.1177/1559827614550279Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: a prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:7928981. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981Basso JC, McHale A, Ende V, Oberlin DJ, Suzuki WA.Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators.Behav Brain Res. 2019;356:208-220. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.023Johnson KV, Dunbar RI.Pain tolerance predicts human social network size.Sci Rep. 2016;6:25267. doi:10.1038/srep25267Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY.Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms[published correction appears in BMC Public Health. 2017 Sep 22;17 (1):736].BMC Public Health. 2017;18(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Euphoria. APA Dictionary of Psychology.Fuss J, Steinle J, Bindila L, et al.A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015;112(42):13105-13108. doi:10.1073/pnas.1514996112American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly used drugs charts.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W.Recreational nitrous oxide use: Prevalence and risks.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015;73(3):790-796. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.10.017Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 13(2):214-223.Huynh G, Reinert JP.Pharmacological management of steroid-induced psychosis: A review of patient cases.J Pharm Technol. 2021;37(2):120-126. doi:10.1177/8755122520978534Weinstein D, Launay J, Pearce E, Dunbar RI, Stewart L.Group music performance causes elevated pain thresholds and social bonding in small and large groups of singers.Evol Hum Behav. 2016;37(2):152-158. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2015.10.002Bramwell RC, Streetman AE, Besenyi GM.The effect of outdoor and indoor group exercise classes on psychological stress in college students: A pilot study with randomization.Int J Exerc Sci. 2023;16(5):1012-1024.Leonti M, Casu L.Ethnopharmacology of love.Front Pharmacol.2018;9. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00567National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain. Drugs, Brain, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.Heijnen S, Hommel B, Kibele A, Colzato LS.Neuromodulation of Aerobic Exercise-A Review.Front Psychol. 2016;6:1890. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01890Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: a critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-yLouie D, Brook K, Frates E.The laughter prescription: A tool for lifestyle medicine.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(4):262-267. doi:10.1177/1559827614550279Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: a prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:7928981. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981Basso JC, McHale A, Ende V, Oberlin DJ, Suzuki WA.Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators.Behav Brain Res. 2019;356:208-220. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.023Johnson KV, Dunbar RI.Pain tolerance predicts human social network size.Sci Rep. 2016;6:25267. doi:10.1038/srep25267Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY.Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms[published correction appears in BMC Public Health. 2017 Sep 22;17 (1):736].BMC Public Health. 2017;18(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8

American Psychological Association.Euphoria. APA Dictionary of Psychology.

Fuss J, Steinle J, Bindila L, et al.A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015;112(42):13105-13108. doi:10.1073/pnas.1514996112

American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly used drugs charts.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.

van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W.Recreational nitrous oxide use: Prevalence and risks.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015;73(3):790-796. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.10.017

Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 13(2):214-223.

Huynh G, Reinert JP.Pharmacological management of steroid-induced psychosis: A review of patient cases.J Pharm Technol. 2021;37(2):120-126. doi:10.1177/8755122520978534

Weinstein D, Launay J, Pearce E, Dunbar RI, Stewart L.Group music performance causes elevated pain thresholds and social bonding in small and large groups of singers.Evol Hum Behav. 2016;37(2):152-158. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2015.10.002

Bramwell RC, Streetman AE, Besenyi GM.The effect of outdoor and indoor group exercise classes on psychological stress in college students: A pilot study with randomization.Int J Exerc Sci. 2023;16(5):1012-1024.

Leonti M, Casu L.Ethnopharmacology of love.Front Pharmacol.2018;9. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00567

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain. Drugs, Brain, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.

Heijnen S, Hommel B, Kibele A, Colzato LS.Neuromodulation of Aerobic Exercise-A Review.Front Psychol. 2016;6:1890. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01890

Hearing CM, Chang WC, Szuhany KL, Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia LG.Physical exercise for treatment of mood disorders: a critical review.Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):350-359. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0089-y

Louie D, Brook K, Frates E.The laughter prescription: A tool for lifestyle medicine.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(4):262-267. doi:10.1177/1559827614550279

Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: a prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:7928981. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981

Basso JC, McHale A, Ende V, Oberlin DJ, Suzuki WA.Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators.Behav Brain Res. 2019;356:208-220. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.023

Johnson KV, Dunbar RI.Pain tolerance predicts human social network size.Sci Rep. 2016;6:25267. doi:10.1038/srep25267

Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY.Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms[published correction appears in BMC Public Health. 2017 Sep 22;17 (1):736].BMC Public Health. 2017;18(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8

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