{"id":17326,"date":"2013-03-22T12:43:47","date_gmt":"2013-03-22T19:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=17326"},"modified":"2015-08-07T09:18:06","modified_gmt":"2015-08-07T16:18:06","slug":"euphoria","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/euphoria\/","title":{"rendered":"Euphoria"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"euphoria\"Euphoria<\/strong><\/span> is an overwhelming feeling of happiness<\/a>, joy, and well-being. People experiencing euphoria may feel carefree, safe, and free of stress<\/a>. This emotion can be either a normal reaction to happy events or a symptom of substance abuse and certain mental health conditions.<\/p>\n

Euphoria and Neurotransmitters<\/strong>
\nDopamine<\/a> is the primary neurotransmitter responsible for euphoria. This chemical enables feelings of pleasure and well-being, and insufficient quantities of dopamine can inhibit a person\u2019s ability to feel pleasure. Serotonin<\/a> can also affect feelings of well-being, although serotonin does not typically cause feelings of euphoria. Medications that regulate neurotransmitters can enable people to feel satisfaction and happiness, as well as more elated feelings of euphoria.<\/p>\n

Causes of Euphoria<\/strong>
\nEuphoria is not in itself a medical condition and is in fact one of the most pleasurable aspects of being human. Sexual satisfaction, exciting life events, achievement, and love<\/a> can all provoke feelings of euphoria. Exercise also causes feelings of euphoria when the body depletes its glycogen stores and then releases endorphins<\/a>. Occasionally, however, a person\u2019s euphoria does not make sense within a particular context. Several conditions and lifestyle choices can contribute to incongruous feelings of euphoria:<\/p>\n