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Euphoria is a medically recognized emotional state related to pleasure and happiness. Technically, euphoria is an affect,1 but colloquially the term is often used as a standard term of emotion to mean intense, transcendent happiness combined with an overwhelming sense of well being. The word derives from Greek εὐφορία, "power of enduring easily, fertility"23.
Euphoria is considered to be an exaggerated state, resulting from psychological or pharmacological stressors and not typically achieved during the normal course of human experience, although some natural behaviors, such as those resulting in orgasm, can consistently produce a brief state of euphoria.1Euphoria has also been cited as a high connection with God. Prophets and those having seen visions and prophecies have claimed to have felt an indefinite sense of love and happiness, a state of mind that is usually associated with euphoria.
A common theme among a subset of drugs used recreationally is their ability to induce a state of euphoria.4 Drugs such as amphetamines, heroin, cocaine, opiates, nitrous oxide, marijuana, benzodiazepines, alcohol and nicotine can induce mild-intense euphoria. Intensity of euphoria is dependant on the biological and chronological factors of the individual, the method of administration and the class, purity, quality and quantity of the drug. Methamphetamine and ecstasy of the amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs, and heroin or cocaine may induce the most powerful euphoric experience when administered intravenously.5
Notes & References
- ^ a b "Key DSM-IV Mental Status Exam Phrases". Gateway Psychiatric Services (2007-05-10). Retrieved on 2007-06-02.
- ^ Euphoria, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, at Perseus
- ^ Online Etymology Dictionary
- ^ Note: this is likely not the best citation available - Ballas, Paul (2006-05-17). "Drug abuse". MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. National Library of Medicine (United States). Retrieved on 2007-06-02.
- ^ Psych Central Staff (2006-10-31). "The Two Types of Bipolar Disorder". PsychCentral.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-02.
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