What is a Euphoric High?

Euphoria is one of many medical and recreational effects associated with consuming cannabis. With the power to lift moods and ease bodies, it's no wonder many people seek out euphoric-rich strains.

What is a Euphoric High?

A euphoric high elevates moods and often increases feelings of well-being. When people try to feel euphoric, they typically refer to a positive boost to their mood and sensory perceptions.  

What generates happiness and euphoria varies from person to person, similar to how the effects of cannabis impact consumers differently. In general, it is associated with immense feelings of happiness or joy. Some other common emotions tied to euphoria can include feeling grateful or optimistic. 

People experiencing euphoria are often visibly more relaxed or happy. Internally, euphoria is associated with feelings of pain relief, be it physical or mental. The sense of euphoria is often short-term, representing a feeling humans have chased for millennia, with or without the assistance of cannabis.

While largely positive, cannabis can cause adverse reactions in some consumers, typically when a person becomes over-intoxicated on the effects of THC or other plant compounds. With euphoria, some of the potential drawbacks can include increased feelings of:¹

• Clumsiness 
• Confusion   
• Dizziness 
• Brain fog  
• Paranoia

What Does Euphoria Feel Like?

Euphoria is one of the most common effects of consuming cannabis, and it's clear why it's so highly sought after.

A euphoric high can be profound and deeply impactful. Overall, consumers typically experience a positively overwhelming sense of joy or happiness, often accompanied by elevated states of well-being. In doing so, some have reported experiencing elevated sensory experiences when consuming euphoria-rich strains. 

Beyond joy and self-comfort, euphoria often provides feelings of mental peace and relaxation. Visual and audio sensations can increase as well. Sometimes, colors appear brighter while sounds resonate louder and clearer. Additional sensory boosts include a heightened sensitivity to touch, which may help heighten awareness and pleasure.¹

Additionally, research into the power of euphoria has revealed that, unlike the cognitive impairment and anxiety-inducing effects of THC, which diminish over time in frequent cannabis consumers, feelings of euphoria remained consistent.²

Why Does Weed Cause a Euphoric High?

Whether it be a euphoric-rich strain or another type of cannabis, consumers often report feeling elevated positive effects after consuming. But why is that the case? 

The significant factor is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prevalent component found in cannabis plants. This crucial compound interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system and its various receptors throughout the brain and body. In the case of euphoria, THC's ability to bind to CB1 cannabinoid receptors located in the brain's neurons plays a critical role. 

THC's impact on CB1 receptors is particularly felt in the brain's reward system, including the prefrontal cortex. THC binds to the prefrontal cortex receptors and activates an effect that increases dopamine and glutamate levels in the reward system. This biochemical reaction provides several effects, one of which is feelings of euphoria.³

Situational factors can significantly impact the euphoria a person feels, if they do at all. Such factors include: 

• The mental state of the consumer
• Consumer's THC tolerance levels
• Consumer's expectations going into the experience

What Medical Properties are Associated With Euphoric Highs?

Euphoria and its connection to medical benefits is a complex subject and often extends well beyond the effect of cannabis.

When focusing on the cannabis plant, specifically THC, research suggests that this critical compound and the plant may play a massive role in providing consumers with medical benefits. For many, euphoria may help address and alleviate unwelcome thought patterns and feelings, including some disruptive emotional states and physical pains.

Euphoria may also help distract the minds and thoughts of some patients, allowing them to think less about their physical and mental pains. For example, patients feeling a euphoric burst from cannabis may find themselves moving their attention away from their pains and toward more pleasant feelings and sensations.

With many potential medical patients to positively affect, euphoria has been associated with treating and addressing many conditions, ranging from chronic pain to depression and anxiety.¹ Euphoria-rich strains also reportedly boost creativity levels in some consumers, possibly providing additional positive benefits.

What Terpenes and Cannabinoids are Associated With a Euphoric High?

Tiny, frosty-looking beads of oil found on the plant, called trichomes, are crucial to cannabis and scores of plant life in nature. Within these trichomes, THC is the primary component found to create a euphoric high in cannabis consumers.³ 

However, when it comes to cannabis strains, terpenes may also play a critical role in shaping elements such as the plant's flavor, aroma, and, most notably, its effects. While there is no direct research on specific terpenes helping to induce a euphoric state, 

If looking for a strain rich in euphoric effects, patients should look for options flush with essential oil compounds, such as the following:⁴

Linalool

Feelings of euphoria may be generated as this terpene, often found in lavender, is usually associated with anxiety relief.

Limonene

This citrus terpene is known to increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, effects often associated with euphoric feelings.

Pinene

Living up to its name, this compound produces pine aromas while also influencing the brain's GABA receptors.

Top Strains for a Euphoric High

Selecting the best strains for a euphoric high varies from consumer to consumer. Each person experiences the plant differently based on unique personal and environmental factors, making the choice heavily subjective.

A few strains with one or more euphoric-producing terpenes include: 

Tropicana Cookies

Rich in limonene and caryophyllene, this citrus sweet strain delivers positive effects often associated with lifting moods and energy levels.

Ghost Train Haze

With a strong THC potency and a terpene profile containing terpinolene and myrcene, this hazy strain is known for producing high levels of euphoria that may help combat feelings of depression and fatigue.

GMO Cookies

This strain, rich in caryophyllene and myrcene, is often associated with substantial relaxation effects. It is headlined by a sense of euphoria associated with stress relief and boosted mental clarity.

References

1. Stith SS, Li X, Brockelman F, Keeling K, Hall B, Vigil JM. Understanding feeling "high" and its role in medical cannabis patient outcomes. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1135453. Published 2023 May 24. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1135453
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2. Kesner AJ, Lovinger DM. Cannabis use, abuse, and withdrawal: Cannabinergic mechanisms, clinical, and preclinical findings. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2021;157(5):1674-1696. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15369
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3. Mason NL, Theunissen EL, Nadia R.P.W. Hutten, et al. Reduced responsiveness of the reward system is associated with tolerance to cannabis impairment in chronic users. Addiction biology. 2019;26(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.12870
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4. Mony TJ, Elahi F, Choi JW, Park SJ. Neuropharmacological Effects of Terpenoids on Preclinical Animal Models of Psychiatric Disorders: A Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(9):1834. Published 2022 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/antiox11091834 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.