History of Euphoria in Timeline

Euphoria is a state characterized by intense feelings of pleasure, excitement, well-being, and happiness. It can be induced by natural rewards like exercise, laughter, music, and dancing, as well as social activities. Euphoria can also manifest as a symptom of neurological or neuropsychiatric conditions such as mania, and is associated with romantic love and sexual activity. Notably, many addictive drugs induce euphoria, contributing to their recreational use.

1903: Euphoria defined as "pleasant excitement"

In 1903, euphoria was referred to as "pleasant excitement" and "the sense of ease and well-being" in an article in The Boston Daily Globe.

1920: Euphoria described as "feeling fit"

In 1920, Popular Science magazine described euphoria as "a high sounding name" meaning "feeling fit": normally making life worth living, motivating drug use, and ill formed in certain mental illnesses.

1921: Euphoria described as feeling good

In 1921, Robert S. Woodworth's textbook Psychology: A study of mental life, describes euphoria as an organic state which is the opposite of fatigue, and "means about the same as feeling good."

Psychology A Study Of Mental Life

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1940: Euphoria defined as a state of general well being

In 1940, The Journal of Psychology defined euphoria as a "state of general well being ... and pleasantly toned feeling."

1957: Opioid euphoria regarded as medically desirable

In 1957, British pharmacologist D. A. Cahal did not regard opioid euphoria as medically undesirable but an effect which "enhance[s] the value of a major analgesic."

1977: Euphoria called a mood of contentment and well-being

The 1977 edition of A Concise Encyclopaedia of Psychiatry called euphoria "a mood of contentment and well-being," with pathologic associations when used in a psychiatric context. As a sign of cerebral disease, it was described as bland and out of context, representing an inability to experience negative emotion.

January 2019: Dopamine regulates pleasure cognition of music

A clinical study from January 2019 assessed the effect of a dopamine precursor (levodopa), dopamine antagonist (risperidone), and a placebo on reward responses to music. The research suggests that increased dopamine neurotransmission acts as a sine qua non condition for pleasurable hedonic reactions to music in humans.