Cold Euphoria

9/12/2014

I've been fighting a cold (or perhaps a flu since there are occasional spikes of fever) since Monday afternoon. Today is the first day that I went without taking decongestant during the day--I still plan on taking some before I go to sleep. I was able to keep my energy up during the days, as well as the evening open house on Wednesday, only by sleeping through most of the evening on both Tuesday and Thursday. Finally, I am at a point where I can feel that the cold is nearing its end.

It's at this point in an illness where I usually get a sensation that I call a "cold euphoria." Basically, despite the fact that I do not feel well, I feel great at the same time. It usually is the strongest when I am not taking any kind of medication, so I know that medical side-effects are not the cause; however, I will not rule out the idea that it is a symptom of exhaustion.

I have never quite been able to explain the sensations I experience in a cold euphoria. I feel tired, but the good kind of tired, like after having spent the day applying physical labor to a just cause. My mind feels unburdened in that hazy way it feels when coming out of a pleasant day dream. My body, though tired, notes changes in the air, both in temperature and tactile sensitivity. Basically, I feel like I have come through some sort of trial in triumph and my mind and body are looking forward to a well-deserved rest.

This euphoria can last a few hours or a few days. I never clearly remember when it starts or when it ends; I only notice it when I am in it. When in one, I want little more than to wear comfortable clothes and just lay back either sleeping, reading, or playing a low-stress video game.

When I explain this to most people, I get the impression that they have not experienced anything similar. I figure that they probably chalk it up to another one of my eccentricities. Still, I wish more people could experience this feeling (without the use of drugs, I should add).

99 Comments

valerie

3/25/2016 10:40:19 pm

I searched this because i am experiencing this right now during the tail end of my cold.

Whit

11/10/2019 06:31:52 am

Me too. I thought I was alone!

Debbie

12/19/2019 03:24:42 pm

How long did yours last? Im just getting over the flu. My first day out of bed and i feel amazing. And it seems completely insane. But I don’t want it to end 😳

Whitnye Raquel link

2/12/2024 12:08:38 am

Same.
It almost feels as though you’ve been on a journey of sorts and you are coming back home. Home is your baseline state of feeling well, but I think it’s the contrasts in life that make us appreciate the experience so much. As gross as it sounds, I searched this because I blew my nose and the biggest glob of mucus I think my body has ever produced at one time came rocket launching into my Kleenex. I’ve never done hard drugs but I can guarantee the sensation I felt immediately after and for about half an hour after was pure euphoria and probably better than any of them. Warmth is the ultimate luxury when you are cold, food when you are starved, an ice cold drink when you are parched. The feeling of well being after you have been ill for a period of time, in a strange way, I live for these contrasts and I think they enrich our lives. It would almost be strange if we just felt absolutely perfect all the time for about 80 years and then croaked 😄
Fun thread

Ali W

3/27/2024 05:25:15 am

Thank you Paul and everyone from rescuing me from the crazy train! I have been living in my home which currently has issues of mold due to a plumbing issue. It's been 2 months and the insurance company just denied my claim. That's the back story. I rarely get sick but have been feeling off for several months to which I attribute it to the current issue. Saturday night I started with a sore throat though I pushed thru the weekend of business taking natural and OTC meds. Monday I woke up in a pool of sweat, and all the other flu symtoms. Yesterday, Tuesday, shortness of breath and foggy head syndrome and an elephant on my chest gave me a scare. Living alone and my own business to run, not to mention a busy holiday week only added to it. I rarely get something simple like the flu. Low and behold, I found a box in my former husbands medicine draw ( He is always sick) and not knowing it's generic name, I found it on the good ole web. Like a gift from above during Holy Week, Tamiflu, WooHoo! Within 20 minutes I was like, hey I feel amazing! Awoke this morning feeling the same and did not go back to sleep after giving the dogs their breakfast. Wow, that hasn't happened since the flood. I searched the web to see if this feeling was a side effect of Tamiflu but nothing until I found this page. Not only do I feel amazing albeit having the flu but knowing I'm not alone! Thank you for the clarity of Cold Euphoria! xoxo Ali

Alice

4/13/2016 07:32:39 am

I'm feeling it right now. I can't believe that I found this blog! This is great. Cold Euphoria...exactly. Not to affix inappropriate profoundness to it, but it really does feel like some sort of well being threshold that goes beyond a mucus party.
Great blog. Thank you for sharing. Glad to know someone else out there experiences this too.

Justyn

2/7/2017 06:28:29 am

I have experienced the same thing for as long as I can remember, but I have never really thought much about it. Not until I mentioned it to someone once and they appeared to have no idea what I was talking about. I usually get Cold Euphoria toward the end of a head cold, and the last two times I've gotten one, both last year and this, I have really noticed it. I am really curious about this phenomenon, being that the effect is so dramatic, and it seems like very few are talking about it. I have a hypothesis: Generally, when one gets an infection, immune white blood cells release signalling proteins called cytokines. Cytokines are agents of inflammation, and when released systemically, can have far reaching effects on the brain. Cytokines have been linked to depressive behavior. The idea here is supposedly that one of the effects of this biological cascade is that the brain reacts to it by shifting into another gear, causing you to feel a little down, unadventurous, and therefore allowing the body to get important rest during these periods. Here's the thing: an increasing number of people already have chronic, sustained inflammation from these cytokines (without being infected), from modern lifestyle (hang with me here) and thus exhibit various levels of its depressive response as a general mode of being. There are other effects of chronic, systemic inflammation besides feeling depressed, and you can look them up.

Those two assumptions I am fairly firm on, but here is my hypothesis: Certain infections change the antagonistic affect that some people chronically experience from perpetual inflammation, and they do this by providing the immune system with an actual target. The infection gives the body something real to fight, and keeps the immune system busy for this period, allowing for some relief of the chronic inflammation that was being experienced by the brain. So the euphoria that you and I feel may, simply put, be relief. Thoughts? I'm curious to know what you think of this, and if you would be a good candidate for chronic, low, systemic inflammation.

Paul

2/7/2017 10:18:33 pm

Justyn,

You hypothesis certainly makes sense to me. As I am a teacher, I certainly would say that I am certainly under a lot of stress; however, I don't frequently deal with depression symptom. Still, I am a low-level type II diabetic. Also, I noticed that my most recent euphoria went away after a set of intense exercise and that a previous cold-like bug also had no euphoria, but I was exercising the entire time I had it. It could just be coincidence too ...

Becca

10/1/2017 09:23:51 am

Thanks for this Justyn, that does make a lot of sense to me. Now to figure out how to sustain this feeling or recreate it!

Whitnye Raquel

2/12/2024 12:14:50 am

But I don’t think it’s something you can “bottle”. I feel like it’s an ice cold drink of water. You have to be hot and parched prior to drinking it to fully appreciate it as the luxury it is. Feeling “baseline” good feels like cloud nine after weeks of feeling stuffy, achey, run down, and snotty. But it sure would be cool if we could stay on that euphoric high forever.

Rachel

7/7/2021 03:37:51 am

Thank you Justyn- I’d say you are right on. I’ve had this my entire life, half a century, and was just recently diagnosed (though this is not recent) with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. Your hypothesis makes complete sense and my blood work seems to affirm it. Thank you for sharing.

Holly

1/28/2022 07:44:13 am

Hey Justyn. I just experienced this feeling for the first time, and I am wondering something:

Did you take any unusual vitamins or supplements while sick? I took zinc and a vitamin b complex, (which I've NEVER taken before) and experienced this euphoria for 4 days after being sick. I am wondering if this phenomena is people who are vitamin deficient taking extra vitamins while sick, and not realizing that they just have a vitamin deficiency.

Lower down in this thread a few people mentioned that they were chronically depressed, and experienced this euphoria after being sick. I am wondering if they knowingly or unknowingly drank something with extra vitamins in it (zinc is put in a lot of "cold" drinks like pedialyte) and the euphoria results from their brains properly working for the first time in possibly years. Certain vitamin deficiencies (specifically b6, b12, folate and d3) are linked to depression.

In particular, vitamin b and zinc deficiencies are common in people who are vegetarian or vegan, or people who drink alcohol a lot. Vitamin B absorption is reduced in people with AUD, and vegans cannot get b12 though any means other than vitamins.

I myself eat very little meat, and am also recovering from AUD and have been sober for a bit over 2 years now.

Since the euphoric episode, I have continued taking vitamin B complex and zinc, and although the intense euphoria faded, I have noticed remarkable improvement in my depression and anxiety.

If anyone else can help confirm or refute my theory I would love to know! I am planning on getting blood-tests done soon to see if I have genetic absorption issues because I was diagnosed with anemia as a kid, which can be caused by vitamin B deficiency as well.

Good luck everyone!

Donnica

2/22/2017 04:17:26 am

It's interesting that I came across your message. I have never been able to explain this to anyone and they actually understand. I am just getting over a cold now and I have been in my euphoria stage for a couple days now. I've been experiencing this for years and years. When i experience this it's like everything is well in the universe and you have no true worries. It always brings me back to thought of my greatest childhood moments and makes me picture myself on the highway headed to the beach on a pretty hot breezy day...... i love this feeling. It puts me in the most chill mode ever. I wish I could have this feeling forever.... so " Cold Euphoria" you've called it. That works! Lol

Rudi

3/12/2017 02:06:16 pm

That's exactly how I feel right now! I left my country 10 years ago when I was 14 to come abroad, leaving all my friends behind, my dad and many many good memories. Today I teared up because I was so emotional, not because of sadness, but out of happiness. I feel like I'm a kid again, walking the streets that I've walked during my childhood, not having a worry in the world. I'm normally very stressed so feeling like I do now it's imensely underwhelming. Sometimes I wish this flu would never go away.

Becca

10/1/2017 09:25:17 am

You took the words right out of my mouth. Currently feeling like I never want this cold to go away. I'd be ok having to blow my nose everyday for the rest of my life if I could just stay at the tail end of this cold and he thus euphoric every single day.

Whitnye Raquel

2/12/2024 12:17:28 am

You get it. It’s like a feeling that all is well in the world. A hopeful, but kind of lethargic feeling. I think if it like I’m a plant slowly waking up out of its winter dormant season, not quite awake and ready to grow, but getting close.

Hally link

4/29/2017 05:28:02 am

I've never been able to explain this euphoric condition. As long as I can remember I've gotten this at the end of a cold. Whenever I try to explain it to people they look at me as if I'm insane. I've tried to recapture the feeling at other times but it's been almost impossible. It's as if you can regain a sense of personal empowerment, and you just feel great. Thanks to Justyn for that interesting hypothesis.
I was wondering if some people feel this way generally. If so, I envy them.Thanks, friends, for allowing me to feel like I'm not alone in this universe. :)

robin

5/20/2017 08:21:47 am

the euphoric feeling always comes after a cold that also has lots of head congestion and then blowing of the nose. i, too, wish this feeling could last forever, or at least a whole lot longer. it's such a sense of well being. hard to describe, and impossible to describe to those who have never experienced it. i'm glad to know others have... now how can we reproduce this "bliss affect" on will? that's the question!!!!!

Dan

8/14/2017 01:31:51 pm

Perfect description, like you were reading my mind. I've actually gotten in at least one relationship because of this feeling after a cold haha.

Shane

9/15/2017 04:29:09 am

I love fever euphoria, it's the weirdest thing and i get it every time i have flu. It's hard to explain like a tingly sensation all over your body and a feeling of calmness and comfort.

Becca

10/1/2017 09:22:51 am

Oh my Gosh! I can't believe I'm reading about other people having this same exact feeling. It's exactly how you've all described it, it's like finally people that actually get it!

I've tried describing this to people before only to be met with crazed looks and comments like "it's probably just all the meds sweetie"

But that's the thing, it usually sets in AFTER I'm done taking all the meds. This feeling is just so surreal, I wake up wondering if I'm still having a wonderful dream or if I'm actually awake.

Why do so few people have this though? And how do we make it stay! I wish there could be some kind of clinical study on people like us. I bet that could greatly help understand the anatomy of depression much better.

It almost makes me feel like getting sick isn't so bad because for as long as I can remember I've had this feeling every time towards the end of a cold or a flu where I've had a lot of congestion. The sense of happiness is almost like I'm a kid again, with no worries, no struggles, with a sense of everything just being right in the world.

Today after many years or experiencing this phenomenon, I decided to google search the terms "cold euphoria" -- funny how my brain also decided to call it that. It truly and simply is a sense of euphoria, one that hasn't been matched by anything in my life since being a kid. No meds has ever made me feel this good, be it anti anxiety medication or anything else.

So happy to have found other people feeling this way.

Kim Goff

12/10/2017 06:55:24 pm

So glad I searched this out. I am hardly ever sick, 49 years old and just recovered from a 24 hour flu bug. I had a rough night and was happy to come out on the other side. While relaxing in my bed I noticed two different euphoric 90 seconds we’ll say . . . Where I felt something awesome going on in my head. I can’t even explain it, it was just different and amazing. No alcohol, no drugs. Lol. Super weird so I googled it and found this thread. Alright. That’s all. Carry on. 😀🏃🏃🏃

Kim Goff

12/10/2017 07:06:33 pm

Just read one of the blogs above and wanted to throw in that I am pre diabetic as well and was wondering if this had something to do w it. It actually felt too good to be organ damage, but I wonder . . . I will start testing my a1c levels now bc it will drive me crazy not knowing. SOO sword this euphoric thing!!

Roman POGOSOV

12/26/2017 04:46:39 am

Wow, Thank you. I've been searching for years to describe this feeling. I actually asked YAHOO as you can see here:
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110924000456AACl7hZ

I called it Post-Sickness Euphoria.
I noticed it doesn't fade with age, but it lasts longer and "hits" you stronger if you been sick longer and been sick on "harsh" side(high temp, cough, shivering, mucus, etc)
I've done Ecstasy and Cocaine before, I even done Methamphetamine and NONE compare to Post-Sickness Euphoria HIGH. If only people experienced it, there'll be no war, no rape, no murder. It is true, you can get a lot higher without drugs than on them.
Under the influence of Post-Sickness Euphoria, I noticed that looking at my childhood pictures has brought not just the pinpoint accuracy memories, but I also "felt" myself just as I "felt" when picture was taken.
When other people complain about getting sick, I am actually happy, because I know I'll experience Post-Sickness Euphoria.

I asked a few doctors over the years, some say it's
micro-burst of almost 2000 units of dopamine(higher than methamphetamine), BUT THE MOST LOGICAL EXPLANATION I PERSONALLY CAME UP WITH WAS: DMT
YES, the the drug, but it's naturally occurring in our brain and primary responsible for how vivid our dreams are. During sickness, brain stores DMT which are released above normal later into the synapse causing Post-Sickness Euphoria. The longer and stronger sick you are, the more DMT is stored to be released later.
Unless somebody can come up with better theory and actually say what's causing it(more serotonin dopamine, endorphines), I'll stick to my explanation.
Thanks you for this thread, favourited.

Orion

2/17/2018 10:33:34 pm

Release of DMT might explain what I experience. I've been searching Google to see if anyone experiences what I do with certain cold/flu viruses. What I experience is random and I don't always experience it.

What I experience is that certain cold/flu viruses have a "taste" to them. The sensation of taste is registered keenly by my brain, not in my mouth. It's nothing that interacts with my tongue. It's also more than a "flavor" but I'm unable to describe it.

Each virus seems to have its own unique sensation in my brain, although they are similar in their euphoric effect. I wish I could describe it better, but it's like trying to recall a dream. It's hard to remember exactly how I feel in that state, while I'm healthy and not infected.

Does anyone else have this "taste" sensation too? Everyone talks about euphoria but I've never heard anyone talk about that.

Paul

2/27/2018 09:07:24 pm

It's interesting that you mention a "taste" sensation. For me, it is a "smell" -- which I suppose is basically the same information in the brain. It is usually that "smell" which is my first sign that the euphoria is about to hit.

Eva

6/28/2018 02:47:37 pm

Yes!
I had the taste/ smell of ketchup in my mouth and nose for years every time I got sick

Holly

1/28/2022 07:47:43 am

Did you by any chance take any zinc or vitamin B while sick?
I also had the "taste" sensation as well, and I am wondering if this thread is just a series of people who don't realize they had a vitamin deficiency.

@Holly

10/3/2022 03:52:32 pm

I've commented on this blog before, and coincidentally just recently experienced this again within the last week. I take and have taken multi-vitamins throughout this time - depending on what vitamins we're talking about, this likely isn't a determining factor (at least for me) but who knows without some scientific inquiry.

Jahangir Khorezmi link

1/18/2018 10:47:01 pm

I get exactly the same feeling ie Cold Euphoria. That's why I google searched this wonderful effect. I am very old now but I always get "Cold Euphoria" towards the end. I wish someone- may be a doctor , can explain the phenomenon. It is wonderful to have wonderful feeling without drugs or alcohol

Daniel F

1/23/2018 09:42:11 pm

Id just come off of a 24 hour cold, and the way you discribed it could not be more spot on to my same experience. Everything had a softer aura to it, smells are gentler and pleasent. Callbacks to being sick on christmas, and spending christmas day watching cartoons and eating a big toblerone. The amount of near identical experiences to this phenomenon is truely surprising.

jahangir bakht sajjad khwarizmi link

1/29/2018 10:47:56 am

Thank you for the response. I have read the comments and I am thankful to all of you.

Take care and best regard
J.Khorezmi

jahangir bakht sajjad khwarizmi link

1/31/2018 06:05:57 am

Wish the euphoria lasts for ever. It is wonderful to get FREE dopa mine, which some people are blessed to get it genetically. Welcome to cold euphoria.

Tom

2/15/2018 07:05:51 pm

I was recently diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis following some gallbladder issues. I recovered, and after I recovered I found myself feeling amazingly euphoric. I'm a 55 year old man, and suddenly I'm running 7 minute miles without fatigue, doing 8 sets of heavy bench presses without tiring, doing hundreds of sit ups, etc. Some people have questioned if I'm on stimulants because I seem so hopped up.

While it feels great, it's also starting to worry me enough that I'm googling. It seems odd to call my doctor to tell her I feel fabulous and I need to have it fixed.

This has lasted close to a month now, off and on, and seems to be increasing in intensity.

Sandra C Stock

10/22/2019 04:43:28 am

I'd have my thyroid TSH, T3 & T4 checked (blood work labs.)

Fritz Andrew

6/10/2018 07:37:57 pm

I recently had a flu and im experiencing this eurphoric state right now. I described this to my friend like a day after a storm where everything is clear and vibrant.

Holly Chisholm

1/8/2022 01:07:08 pm

Yes!
I'm experiencing it for the first time right now post COVID. Everything feels fresh and new like it's just rained. Everything feels very peaceful and calm and there is a certain "fresh" feeling in the air. It's almost like everything is "minty" if that makes sense. I keep thinking back to when I was a kid. Haven't felt this peaceful since then.

Drew Jagger

6/18/2018 06:59:02 am

Yes, yes, yes. I'm on it right now, day 2 of my cold. I love it, feel very zen.

But what is it?? Why is this page the only real reference to it on the entire internet?

Danny

2/17/2020 02:01:07 pm

DUDE right? Like clearly this is a common phenomenon why are we not talking about it??

Eva

6/28/2018 03:18:20 pm

I feel this way every time I have a cold.
I feel very ‘hygge’
Or like I belong where I am, like everything is okay and very content even though I physically feel like garbage.
I think the inflammation idea makes sense because if you look at stuff syphllis, isn’t it the same idea? Brain inflammation causing behavioural and mental changes.
If the brain is releasing dopamine or seretonin while sick, my question is why? Some sort of innate survival instinct?
Also, I don’t think I agree with the DMT idea- I’ve done a decent amount of research on it but never actually smoked it
It makes sense but dmt is a hallucinogen even at a low dose and we aren’t seeing things when we have a cold
Also, biologically again, why would the pineal gland release dmt while we are sick? Dreaming makes sense but not sickness
And once again, we aren’t hallucinating when we are sick
So I think the brain inflammation idea makes the most sense
Either way it’s an amazing feeling and I wish it was always like this.
And I wish we knew more about the brain

Helle

9/22/2018 04:23:14 pm

I've had "fever euphoria" (that's how I call it) since childhood - the most amazing, giddy, laughing feeling of being care free. It only comes with very high fever, though. And that's not all: I also love love LOVE the shaking that often comes with it. In fact, if the fever is not high enough, I try mentally to induce the shakes because it gives me good relief from the sadness and anxiety of my life.
I have my theories about that, but at this point I'll just say: it wasn't for nothing that pyrotheraphy (which was later developed into ECT) was once considered a prime treatment for depression.

Roman Pogosov link

11/6/2018 08:30:47 pm

It's me again. I got cold on Friday. Nothing serious, just crazy runny nose. I used PROPOLIS, VITAMIN C and didn't allow sickness to get further (high temp, cough, mucus). On Saturday, less than 24 hours, I felt a mixed feeling of POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA. I felt it's definitely coming but I still had runny nose. So I knew it'll be more intense. In my previous experiences with POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA, I've learned that the longer and harsher sick I am, the longer and stronger this POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA will be.
I don't take any chemicals, only propolis and vitamin C to get better, so it takes longer to get better . I also noticed in the past, if I do cardio exercise or any exercise at all that reduces POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA so I stopped exercising
It's Tuesday now, I still have a very little runny nose a bit, but I still have POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA.

I noticed I feel like if I'm a virgin again. All the sudden I grabbed my childhood pictures and I started scanning them into the computer and improving the brightness sharpness you know... and as I go through them, I feel just like I felt at the moment the picture was taken.
I feel like I'm a 6 or 7 years old again and the people around me they notice. tThey're like: well you definitely look more happy

I also noticed that my digestive system works much better, because all the sudden in just a matter of 3 days I lost 3 pounds. Some may say it's unhealthy, but you know what...I don't have a desire for food I feel so freaking great

I definitely think it has something to do with serotonin, cause that controls the food and definitely has something to do dopamine, cuz that's what the memories of first true love are I think.
I wish somebody would take me now, put some kind of electronic pads to my brain and record the brain waves right now. Then, record brain waves when start to feel normal.
Then compare what the difference is..
That will provide us with an actual answer what neurotransmitters are causing POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA or as you guys call it: COLD EUPHORIA

Holly Chisholm

1/28/2022 07:53:50 am

Hey Roman!
I am wondering, did the Propolis have any added vitamins in it or do you know if propolis naturally contains vitamins?

I am thinking that this thread might be filled with people who don't know they have a vitamin deficiency who take supplements when they are sick to help, and have the euphoric feeling because their bodies were chronically deficient.

In particular, I am interested if you may have taken zinc or vitamin B6, B12, or folate.

Marshall link

11/19/2018 04:15:21 pm

Ha! What a trip. Glad to know there are other people out there who experience this wonderful and profoundly inappropriate bliss when "suffering" from a cold.

My life has been dedicated to connecting to what is meaningful to me through spirituality, art, psychology, conflict resolution, relationships, travel, restorative justice, altruism, etc. I love all those things, and they are what I value most. BUT -- If I'm honest about what it is in life that gives me my favorite, subjective, aesthetic feeling... Um, as strange as it sounds, I'd have to say it is the feeling of euphoria I get starting about midway through a cold and lasting a week or so after.

I can't even begin to make sense of why this would be the case, but it is.

Lou

12/20/2018 11:55:46 am

Basically yes to everything everyone has already said! I searched 'euphoria from illness' having just had my first experience of it during the flu. I have suffered with depression and many other negative feelings my entire adult life and for the first time I actually felt good, relaxed, at ease, calm, totally content. It was just such a wonderful feeling. I thought 'this is how it's meant to be'. Yes I felt physically awful but I didn't care because I just felt so peaceful and 'okay'. Its wearing off now sadly but I can still taste it like you can a dream.

Interestingly, did anyone else notice how everyone above is being respectful and eloquent and using similar language? This in itself is unusual and really struck me. Maybe we share something more than just the 'cold euphoria'? I wish someone would do a study!

Blank

1/12/2019 02:48:43 am

I have experienced this for years. At times I thought it was because of the medicines I would take. I also believe at times that I do not always have a cold and the euphoria comes spontaneously. However, it is usually brought on by a cold.

There seems to be a common experience between many of us of feeling like our childhood selves. This resonates with me deeply. I have often believed that I used to be in this state almost permanently as a child and it diminished with age.

I should also note that I had depression from 13 to 21 years old and that the feeling would still occur during those times. It was not always euphoric, more like a bad high. At other times, it felt completely euphoric even in the middle of a severe depression.

However, it always produced a sensory shift where every sensation was more intense. Music was more emotional, smells were stronger. The only other thing I could note was the sensation of hazy vision despite being able to see clearly.

SSRIs never made me feel anything like this so I have a feeling that this could be more dopamine related.

Marshall

1/12/2019 09:18:12 am

I agree with your idea that this feeling is how we felt most of the time as young children. I remember feeling this way pretty permanently and then noticing that the feeling was starting to leave me. I think I was in the 8-10 years old range when I realized my state of wonder, promise and serenity was fading and being replaced by a bland, grey, mundane feeling. I remember having a sense that it was important I remember the euphoric feeling because it would eventually leave me completely, which it did.

Linda

1/12/2019 12:14:03 pm

So weird to know I'm not alone in this. I have experienced it all my life. I was promoted to look this up now because I am at the end stage if a nasty head cold, and here it is again. The most wonderful sense of well being!

J.R.

1/23/2019 08:59:17 pm

This is pretty fascinating, even though im not going through this at the moment, I sometimes think about the ‘cold euphoria’ ive experienced and now i know im not the only person to have this. General feeling of peace, content, mental clarity. But Its surprising how specific some of your descriptions are, and match what i feel almost right on; especially the child-hood nostalgia.

Ive read all the comments so far, and even though there is a great deal of similiarity, i fall into the group that doesnt necessarily experience this with every flu/cold, or need a cold to experience it. My most recent experience was with very high fever that made me delirious, couldnt sleep, things were spinning, mild hallucination. It wasnt until i laid in my basement floor where it was cool that i could sleep. Woke up in the morning with my ‘euphoria.’ Definitely lasted well over a week, but very clearly diminished over time, being most intense right after my fever broke, then gradually weakening. Only med. i took was maybe an ibuprofen.

Have experienced a few other times with other cold/flu sickness, but again not everytime. I did have a similiar feeling once after recovering from a wine hangover, but that never repeated lol.

Brian J. Evans

2/12/2019 12:43:35 pm

Good to see there are others that understand that euphoric feeling after being sick. I’ve had a slight flu the past few days with yesterday being the worst. After waking up from a nap a few hours ago I noticed the euphoria. I’m feeling the “high.” Everything appears bright and detailed. I feel that nervous excitement I felt when I was younger. My early years in the military were spent in Okinawa, Japan, and I truly believe those were some of the happiest moments of my life. This euphoria makes me feel like I’m back there again. Like mentioned in earlier post I believe it may be the body giving me a big hit of dopamine. The only time in recently I have ever felt this way is when I have taken prescribed medication for depression.

Soi

2/28/2019 07:11:05 pm

I’m so happy I found this post!
Everything resonates with me, it’s unbelieveable!

I’ve been sick for the last few days and I’ve never been happier...
I suffer depression and anxiety so to feel like this is....a dream.
It actually feels like I’m in a dream,
I lay outside and I can feel the sun rays darkening my skin, the soft breeze throughout the plants and the trees, there’s a silver tinge within the clouds that spot the baby blue sky.
Nothing matters yet everything is beautiful. Everything is magical.

I honestly haven’t been this happy in years, memories of my childhood and teenage years flood my mind.

I feel free like a bird.

No drugs could even be compared to this feeling...

I am slightly disturbed to think this isn’t forever...this feels so good I don’t want to go back!

SHIKEE

3/2/2019 06:54:57 pm

I am experiencing this too. Like most folks here, it happens on the recovery route from more serious cold. Childhood memory, often a still frame together with sensory information imprinted come to mind; some times is outerworldly, comforting fantasy.
Indeed, it'll be cool if we can find a way to replicate this on demand, but I wonder about the possible negative effect - eg. repetition will weaken its stimulation, in turn we need stronger dosage, or it becomes addictive?
Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Peggy Vogan

3/22/2019 10:11:26 am

Nice to know there are so many of us I always beleived it was a release of endoprphins caaaused by the immune system charging up. I get it before and during a cold or flu and recently, a bout of shingles. it seems it is not pososible to feel really worried anxious or depressed in this state so yes i would love to know how to attain it without illness! P

Heather Nelson

6/29/2019 07:48:50 pm

Theory. Sounds crazy, i know. Lyme disease. The fever is killing off some kind of organism that has been causing anxiety. Leaving temporary joy that would be a natural state? Or it changes brain chemistry with the heat . Could saunas or otherwise high temps recreate? Well, y theory sounds silly now that I wrote it down. Lol. I wish it could be easily and naturally recreated.

Mim

8/19/2019 05:40:47 am

Hi!
I have also experienced cold euphoria so many times and I kind of get excited for it when I get a cold. I reminiscence fond and specific but otherwise insignificant memories of childhood like a particular rainy day when I was 4, memories of reading a book, being cozy etc. I don't like taking too much medicines. So I go without medicines unless it is necessary. I remember how some books made me feel so hopeful and euphoric when i was little. Although I am an adult now my childhood books are my safe comfort zone and I don't mind re-reading them. This cold euphoria also makes me feel very content and at peace. The last time I had cold euphoria, I also noticed that I had some vivid dreams two nights in a row although not especially pleasant ones.

Daan

10/11/2019 11:38:23 pm

Hello everybody,

I also experience these symptoms of euphoria when having a cold and always wondered what it was. I remember having this since high school and joking about how I didn’t worry about school and girls anymore when I was having a cold. Also, I liked smoking (when I still smoked) much more when having a cold, which reminds me of some drugs. So there must be something chemical happening, probably some immunological response or something. Also it is funny to read that a lot of people experience, like I also do, a childhood-like peace and quiet. So maybe having a cold brings back memories of being ill as a child and getting attention and being taken care for. Or just memories and the sensations of childhood in general, when your view on the world is still (relatively) without care. And when you’re 10 or older you begin to understand the world more, worry more etc.

Anyway it would be great if this feeling will last and doesn’t fade away

pocholo manalac

10/22/2019 01:34:44 am

Grateful to find this article. I have been experiencing the exact same phenomenon/bliss during my colds and you have explained and described it to absolute precision. Great communication man!

For me i experience almost all of which you described and the most notable emotion i experience from this cold euphoria is nostalgia. I noticed every single time i had a cold, i feel like i've been taken back to a certain era that made me really happy. And i know everyone has that point in their lives that they wish they could experience that moment at least one more time. For me, this is the closest way one could experience that.

I was trying to figure out what triggers this cold euphoria during a comedown from the flu, its certainly not our medications (paracetamols, advils/mucolytics) so the next culprit could be the cold, maybe it makes our body secrete or trigger a cerrain receptor that creates this emotion.. Anyway, the theory here is what if we found the source of the cold euphoria and isolate it into a substance that can allow us to replicate the cold euphoria?

By the way, shameless plug--

I want to work on this research with those who have experienced this phenomenon. If anybody knows what this cold euphoria feels like and is capable of contributing to the research, (capabilities in neural/pharmacy/specific anatomy or whatever medicine is closely related to this use) we should work together. you can reach out to me at [email protected], Will gladly reply!
Looking forward to isolating and replicating the cold euphoria phenomenon with you.
-Pocholo M.

Roman Pogosov

11/19/2019 11:36:46 am

Hello, it's me again. I've got a bit of cold on Friday. I instantly got excited for post-sickness euphoria.
The first wave arrived on Saturday, nostalgia feelings, like I was a virgin again. Desire to go through old pictures of me growing up.
I've decided to test what neurotransmitters are filling up my synapse during this amazing feeling. Being a raver in the past and doing MDMA, I can tell for sure, there is a above normal serotonin levels. Compared to 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, this is light however.
I've done COCAINE in the past and this feeling is definitely more dopaminergic than serotonin.
However, it does have the same effect as MDMA does the next day: everything is brighter and I find myself smiling more often.
It's my 3rd day and I feel better, no runny nose. But I can tell this post-sickness euphoria will intensify later today and later this week.
I should mention: I am naturopathic freak. I used MELIPONA honey drops and AMAZON FOREST honey plus I chewed on propolis to get better. No chemical. Not even ibuprofen.

I noticed hot shower helps intensify post-sickness euphoria, I would say 10-15%

I also have a subconscious constant stress over my dad having 3rd mini-stroke. I noticed the harder I try to think about it and how it stresses me, this post-sickness euphoria does not allow my brain to stress out as I did before. I still care, it's my dad, but post-sickness euphoria blocks the stress from damaging my day.

As I've said before, I really wish somebody will connect something to my brain, collect my blood sample during the peak of this effect(which is coming in a day or two) and tell me WHAT differs. What differs like... may be things like more dopamine, more serotonin, more... I don't know vitamin C, liver is working hard or perhaps potassium40 levels went down.

What is happening in our brain or body during the peak effect of Post-sickness Euphoria?

I've posted a few ideas before, but none confirmed medically. Just ideas.

It would be good to create a pill which would make the whole world experience the same Post-sickness euphoria. There'll be no wars, rape, murder or any criminal activity. It's simply impossible. You just feel like a child or a young virgin adult who just got a chance to start his/her life all over with all the opportunities available to them

Debbie

12/19/2019 03:05:12 pm

Ok this is exactly what I am experiencing right now on day 4 of the flu. I am taking Tamiflu so my symptoms are clearing quickly. But I’m euphoric. And I wrote a funny insta post about it and used what I thought was a made up hashtag #postflueuphoria. I was surprised to see it had been used before so I googled and that’s how I landed here. I would love to feel like this all the time. I took the best walk outside today. Everything is wonderful. We all sound completely insane, you do all realize that?

Jordan

1/10/2020 07:53:50 am

Commenting because am getting better from a cold and currently feel a high that is more peaceful than anything I have felt before (I think you described it perfectly). I hope it can last for a while. Thanks for you blog!

Malia link

1/27/2020 05:13:01 pm

I researched this as well online bc my body is buzzing...body high like I just took a bunch of bong hits. I'm on the recovery side of the flu/cold, but I'm not energized... Feeling lethargic and tired but definitely like a good buzz.

2/8/2020 09:37:58 am

just got this feeling. my cousin came over 2 days ago saying he had just recently recovered from a couple weeks of sickness and mucus. his eyes were glossy signalling that he probably still was infected. so last night i start to feel something as im looking to go out for a smoke, thinking, oh damn here it comes; i caught it.

this morning i feel relatively good but i know something funny is going on. so im sitting here playing guitar and all of a sudden my arms feel as though i got a tiny hit of morphine; they feel so good and tingly, buzzing. and i just pause and then google what's up, and here i am

joan gordon

2/9/2020 10:50:26 pm

So glad to have found this! IMHO the fever is the ONLY upside to the awful symptons I experience from cirrhosis.

Mimi

2/12/2020 10:46:00 am

Had a super case of euphoria during an H3N2 flu a few years ago. Had pretty high fever/chills with it. Also, Felt cleansed, re energized when all done. Haven't had a cold or anything since that virus, interestingly. Like it supercharged my immune system. I don't take shots anymore, since the last one left me with arthritis for almost a year.

Alex

2/22/2020 08:10:06 am

I am so glad to have found this page. I have been recovering from the flu, and have been feeling this strong nostalgia for the past few days. Everything reminds me of my childhood and the carefree days I used to spend playing with my brother, or the joy of holiday mornings. I am also remembering family vacations we used to take. The sunlight has been more soft and warm as well, and I could listen to the sound of birds all day. I love this feeling, but it is mixed with sadness as well...I miss when I used to naturally feel like this everyday, and I have this intense feeling of homesickness. I have been going through a dark period of my life, and this fever euphoria has made me see how down I have been, and how much I miss feeling happy.

Jim

3/6/2020 07:33:53 am

Haven't been sick for long while, and broke a really good fever last night. This morning everything is just right with the world! Clearly this euphoria is uncommon, and most people think I'm nuts when I try to describe it. Glad to have found this blog, and agree with most of the descriptions.

Andrew

3/14/2020 09:33:57 pm

I had a very high fever in February 2015 that ended with a spectacular burst of euphoria and energy that took days to wear off. I rolled around on a snowy hillside and didn't feel cold or exhausted. The feeling returned off-and-on for months, in ever-decreasing frequency and intensity. I've never felt anything nearly that intense since then, but I've noticed I sometimes get a very mild version of the same feeling from time to time and it might be happening during very mild fevers.

Sarrah

6/25/2020 04:59:29 pm

This post started in 2014 and it is now 2020 and I can say that I am currently in a state of Cold Euphoria and it is fantastic! I really needed this to level me out. I have had them ever since I can remember. Love it!

Mim

7/5/2020 12:24:43 am

Has anyone experienced this feeling with coronavirus recovery?

Holly Chisholm

1/8/2022 01:14:00 pm

Just now recovering from COVID, and yes this exact euphoric feeling.

Roman Pogosov link

7/7/2020 05:10:48 pm

Hi, It's me again. On Saturday night I felt asleep with AC at full power in my room, Literally 3 or 4 hours later, I woke up trembling and my nose was running. I knew I messed up and sickness is coming. On Sunday, I felt really horrible, headaches, weakness in feet and when I cough, I feel like my eyes hurt. I decided to physically visit a doctor. She couldn't see me on Monday, so I went today(July 7th, 2020).
Being cautious man, I assumed the worst to prepare myself(in today's case, may be COVID19). I took all the necessary precautions and requested Monday off work and avoided going shopping even if I had mask and gloves.

Good news, Dr confirmed it's just a cold I got and there is no sign of COVID 19, they done swabs, she even did blood and urine test for something, I don't know.

As I mentioned before, I am naturopathic freak. She prescribed Amoxicillin 500mg, But since Saturday, I been taking:

Propolis 35 drops twice a day
Natural brewed(not heated or mixed with sugar) honey, 2 teaspoons a day,
I did take EMERGENCY C or VITAMIN C whatever it is called, comes in a packets and you dissolve them in water.

Other than that Hot natural tea and that is all.

As of today, July 7th, 2020, 7:07PM Mountain time, I just felt a slight wave of Post-sickness Euphoria, A childhood memories, old photos and teenagers memories of first love and school randomly cross my mind as I type this and I have a smile on my face as I type this. Because I know it's coming. Post-sickness Euphoria is coming. Since I do feel "more" sick than back in October or was it November 2019 when I last posted here, I know this wave of Post-Sickness Euphoria will be more intense. I will post a few days later...

Dora

8/14/2020 02:57:04 pm

Same!
I'm in this state right now and it's amazing. I would describe it as vibrant joyous well-being happy-hippy amazingness. I feel like I'm on Adderall. My brain is having a thousand brilliant ideas in a minute. I can't write them down fast enough. Like...I'm a genius! I can do anything, find the solution to any problem. ANY! Like my brain is the most powerful ideas-producing machine. Today I cleaned the toilet and it was so pleasurable! I couldn't imagine cleaning the toilet could EVER feel good. I'm gonna clean my whole house now. But it feels good because I am with myself. Like completely with myself. I feel me, you know? My essence, my Soul, I am it. God, I hope this never ends. My every move is conscionable, I open the door, I'm all there, I'm scrubbing the toilet, my Soul is in it, man! I am 100% Me. I enjoy every little action. I enjoy no action. It is all just beingness. Meness. I can go on forever, but if I don't stop, I will.

Fred

9/24/2020 05:58:38 am

Amazing thread and so many people with the exact same feelings. And I thought I was special, that I had a super power! Or maybe we are all related somehow?

Silliness aside, how is it that after 5 years of this thread there’s no new information about how this comes to happen. Or no doctors have read this? I’d love to hear a solid theory. And of course a research. Might be difficult to do as these symptoms are already hard to describe. But seems like a worthy experiment. It’d be great if this could be recreated to fight depression or other disorders.

In any case, it’s great to hear so many others experienced this too. I have never tried any kind of recreational drugs, not even marihuana, but I understand the addictive nature of them if this is anything like this...

Minna

10/1/2020 05:15:46 pm

I am experiencing this right now because Im just getting better from a cold, and I noticed feeling very happy and recognizing that happiness from previous times Ive been getting out of a cold or flu so I googled it and found this and its been amazing to read. Although I must say that Im experiencing a feeling that is less calm and more like some sort of longing, intense urge (that is still joyful and euphoric). I thought about my friends that Im otherwise foten anonymes with and it hurt, almost physically, because I felt that I love them so much, I listened to a podcast which usually makes me giggle a bit, but today it made me laugh out loud, like a laughter that you cant hold in, that starts with a tingeling in the stomach. Music fels more intense. I think about things I have planned for the future and get so excited my heart skipps a bit. I would describe it more as a euphoria that is pulling and longing, not cozy or nostalgic. I dont know.

Aeryn

10/11/2020 10:33:12 pm

It would be a yes to the coronavirus question. I am recovering and am currently feeling this. I find it interesting that for many of us it's associated with not only childhood but holidays, specifically Christmas.
Someone else pointed out use of similar language and the possibility we have something else in common and I have to agree. I've never read another thread where I wasn't rolling my eyes over improper english and constant misspelling. Everyone commenting here is intelligent, emotional, and sympathetic.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a bit giddy over getting sick because she knows what's coming.

Vivi

10/18/2020 02:05:38 pm

I was experiencing this today, but it has now stopped and I'm feeling sad because it was indeed europhoric in a way. (But it actually marked the end of my sickness, which I only learned reading the comments, but it's true)

The way I began to describe the feeling to my boyfriend, was, first of all, a certain dizziness and haziness that affected me throughout the whole day, but it wasn't until we went for a walk when the postiive triggers started hitting me (probably because of a switch in my mood from stressed to more relaxed and for the change of setting). My head was still hazey but now everytime I saw a house, a shop, a colour, a certain way sunlight was reflected by windows, I got this really strong (unprecedentedly strong) association to a very pleasant memory from the past, especially from my childhood. This is particularly interesting, because I can't say I've had the most carefree of childhoods and I've been feeling explicitly depressed about it lately, only being able to recall the bad parts, but with this europhoria-like feeling, I was constantly being hit by happy childhood memories which I'd thought I'd forgotten existed.

Someone above mentioned being reminded to Christmas and I felt that, too! (But again, it's October, so for me it's actually coming up, and the frosty air might have reminded me of the arrival of winter, too)

But yeah, I almost associated it with what it must be like to have your whole life flash before your eyes and then die in that europhoric state of being flooded with happy memories. (As far as the saying goes, I don't know if that's actually true) It worked with smells as well. It was truly an altered state of mind that I could, to a certain extent, compare to drugs, although one with a very subtle effect, and one that's unlike anything I've actually tried. (I can't wait to get sick again) I felt an intense nostalgia for the good parts in my childhood and actually cried a bit when I realized I had little chance of reliving them.

Of course, my boyfriend didn't get what the hell I was talking about so I came here. Why aren't there more (OR ANY) studies on this? Or does it go by a different name? I'm a freshman psychology student at uni, will make sure to dig myself into to topic, once I have the sufficient amount of base knowledge. I wonder if there's a correlation between being depressed in general and feeling this europhoria coming out of a cold. (someone mentioned it above) Is any one of you depressed, too?

Alex

8/8/2021 09:05:20 pm

I spent ages wondering why people didn't share the same feeling, and I was starting to get worried because I didn't hear about it happening. Until I found this blog. Honestly, I'm quite surprised that this isn't considered some kind of medical phenomenon with an official name because it's so interesting. I haven't been sick for quite a bit and I honestly kinda miss the sensation of euphoria I get when I'm healing from a cold. It would get me through bad times in my life sometimes, and sometimes it made good moments better. For a week or so at the time, it was all happiness. Sometimes even days after the cold, which is quite insane. Wish it would last forever tho, it's so nice to feel all happy and energetic even when you're sick. But in my case, I'd get it even with medication. And it's also great because I have so many good memories from when I had a cold or the flu. Like, genuinely good memories, only because those colds brought me such intense happiness. Amazing how the human body works, I'd definitely love to see research done around this.

Mary Durand

8/10/2021 12:58:05 pm

https://sciencenordic.com/forskerzonen-researcher-zone-sweden/when-feeling-sick-feels-great-new-study-reveals-a-close-link-between-reward-and-unease/1458396

Collin Hardin

9/1/2021 05:50:13 pm

Thank you for this! This makes a lot of sense now, I thought it may have been because your brain releases some sort of opiates to help reduce pain.

12/2/2021 09:35:41 am

Wow, yes, I've experienced this since childhood as well. I'm blown away reading all the comments! Thank you for posting this. I just got my booster and started to feel fever euphoria and decided to see if it was just me.

Alan

12/26/2021 07:26:00 am

I've gotten this feeling a few times over the year and I have it now as I'm recovering from a cold.

It's a feeling which can be described as euphoric, and for me it gives me this special feeling I would have as a child where anything felt possible. Unfortunately the feeling has always faded a few days after recovery.

I hope someone finds a way to replicate this effect in the coming decades. To feel like this everyday!

Roman Pogoso

1/1/2022 08:10:58 pm

Hello people. It is me again. I am having a initial wave of Post-Sickness Euphoria.

I had confirmed COVID in June 2020 and was way more sick than I am still is now and I never got POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA from recovering from COVID.

This EUPHORIC FEELING is exclusive to common cold. Now I know for sure. The longer and harder the cold is, the longer and more intense POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA is.

I had COVID test to make sure it is not, because that's what everybody is talking about, so many familiar symptoms, and it is NOT.

So anyway. I was delivering packages for AMAZON on Tuesday 12/28/2021, So uncomfortable wearing their jacket, so I took it off. It was blissful 60 degrees F. But not the wind, the wind was arctic. So a few deliveries closer to evening, I already knew, I will get sick.

Same evening, just a runny nose and fatique, next morning, kind of the same, but feeling of fogginess, but still 100 percent concetration on the road, otherwise, I would take a sick day despite the fact that I just started like 2 weeks ago.

Anyway. It is 1/1/202. So it's been 4 days. I do feel better, just dry cough, but first initiation wave of POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA is coming. I know it will be intense. Because my birthday is in 4 days. I know for sure, I will not drink. Because I remember in the past, alcohol or intense cardio exercise KILL POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA.

I will keep you informed how intense it gets. Let's just say feeling of innocence and childhood memories are in my head. I actually feel like I felt when I was 7 or 8. Same feelings. I know this will wear off, but I won't let that thought cross my mind, so it will not lower my POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA intensity.

I literally again touching my childhood toys, watching pictures, remembering everything like it was yesterday, conversations, feeling of security and innocence, 0 responsibility.

Despite the fact, that I haven't celebrated NYE much, I lost my dad 20 days ago, I may lose this new job due to so many sick days and I just started, bills and stuff. NONE OF IT BUGS me at all. It's like POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA blocks such a thoughts. I am aware of all of it, but it's not letting me to keep my mind on it. My mind is 100 worry-free

POST-SICKNESS EUPHORIA is the best natural anti-anxiety, anti-panic and anti-depressant. If we can only figure out what neurotransmitters is causing it and find a way to experience POST SICKNESS EUPHORIA in a pill form for others, it will put BIG PHARMA out of big business. It will CURE so many things.

We have to be careful, but I wish I knew what neurotransmitter is doing it. It is a bit of SEROTONIN for sure, perhaps a bit of DOPAMINE, but it's something else. and it is in our brain. Can't somebody with PROFESSOR's DEGREE answer it?

Not just say, it's psychosis or schizophrenia, you are looking at perhaps biggest scientific discovery here to CURE(Anxiety, panic, depresson, PTSD and many other things GUARANTEED).

Brittney Graves

1/26/2022 08:46:51 am

I have had this since I was a kid whenever I got a head cold. I thought it was something that everyone got! I was searching about this today because I'm not sick but have the same feeling after having a minor surgery (IUD) and thought it was strange that I was having post head-cold euphoria without the head cold. This makes me wonder if it is something that happens from the immune system ramping up and treating something that it has experienced before. I had this surgery before and didn't have the euphoria afterwards the first time. I did take ibuprofen though and was wondering if that had anything to do with it.

Charles

4/1/2022 06:40:06 am

I have a euphoric feeling again, this time the second day after a Covid booster shot.
I have always had cold and flu euphoria after recovering from being sick. It normally lasts a day I think and today I feel I am back with the living, feeling amazing when only yesterday feeling not so great from Covid booster shot two days ago. Amazing! Interesting that this is experienced by so many. Do our bodies release endorphins I wounder to feel this way?

Kamal

7/22/2022 12:54:00 pm

I think I'm having the same feeling right now. And I just got Covid five days ago. I had some Acetaminophen-Codein and Diphenhydramine till yesterday, but my euphoric state began two days before that and right now it's... it's like life has a meaning. I don't what it is, but... it has. In some ways it's like having marijuana, but more optimal and less harsh.
Listening a piece of music is like swimming in its notes and everything has a shade of nostalgia on it.
Good nostalgia. Like living and experiencing-it nostalgia. Not just-remembering-how-it-was-before nostalgia.

J.R.

10/3/2022 04:03:42 pm

Just recently experienced this again, am on the fading edges of it sadly but there does seem to be some influence I have in its strength simply by intentionally re-calling times from a few days ago when the sensation was stronger.

Anyway for the sake of documenting; began feeling symptons on a friday, by monday was feeling usual cold symptoms (confirmed not covid), tuesday somewhat better but pushed myself too much, and wednesday and thursday was worse again. Took an ibuoprofen at some point through this, and also a packet of theraflu thursday night. Addtionally had also been drinking bear root tea.

Began feeling the euphoria on the friday i believe, has lasted approximately 9 days, with the sensation falling away, with some occasional small boosts if I put some mental effort into it. Curiously, this time for me has coincided with seasonal change, and it seems to make it easier to couple the feeling with experiences of being outside in the cooler weather.

James

1/5/2023 09:38:43 am

It's so wild to see 8 years of comments on this blog. I'm here for the same reason as everyone else. I live with depressive cycles - I've become accustomed to them and I deal with them with medication and therapy. The last two times I've gotten a cold, I feel happy. Not rapturous or blissful or ecstatic, just content. It makes me wonder if this is how non-depressed people feel all the time.

Clay

1/14/2023 11:42:06 am

Covid drug me along and pounded to near death. I journaled about this last night. I was seized with relentless congestion, body aches, chills—my grace clothes were on.
What is this new life I now hold? I feel as a baby, colors dancing, tastes sublime, calmness and peace that I have long for. I could stare at a flower all day and behold it’s beauty.
I am filled with gratitude that God would reset my body and mind, when only 12 hours ago there was no light.
Not understanding how this could happen, I googled post sickness euphoria. Lo! I found a community of such warriors and now don’t worry that I am crazy.
Yes, trying to explain this to others will get a lot of raised eye brows. I feel weak, yet strong—better than strong, more alive. Thanks to all for your testimonies.

Alanha Rose

2/8/2023 08:16:49 pm

One of the numerous here to say I experience this often and vividly. I try to make it productive as well as brace for the inevitable end of the euphoric sensations. Having Depression and Anxiety rather severe, the emotional whiplash during moments of euphoria or deep depression both can be quite punishing emotionally.

I think it's important to cherish the feeling though as one of the wonders of our existence, the ability to come back from a painful, dark moment, and immediately embrace all that is good in life and recognize this world we are in is, in fact, beautiful.

James

9/17/2023 10:44:04 pm

From what I've gathered through research, cytokines effect on brain during illness can effect mood which could lead to the euphoric feeling that we're talking about.

Yes, I too experience this nearly every time I'm seriously sick and have for most my 40+ years on this planet. I also suffer from several mood disorders like several of the comments. It does make me wonder if our already chemically imbalanced brains are effected more-so than "normal" people.

Will

4/22/2024 08:11:32 am

This is an interesting point , I’ve read about it being an indicator for bipolar disorder.

And can relate on the mood disorder front

Stef

9/23/2023 03:24:43 am

I get this too! Also have anxiety and depression. It’s like a burst of energy and happiness.

BUT I also get it the day before the cold starts. If I randomly start feeling energetic and really happy I get worried for the next day lol

Dan

10/7/2023 07:56:00 am

It is amazing so many others describe what I have felt and delighted in since high school.

For me, it is always related to the lingering congestion when the worst of a cold has gone. As in, when I breathe through all that muck, the sensation of nostalgia is at its peak. Thus I always figured it had to do with the close connection between the sense of smell and the limbic system, regulating emotions.

But this isn't exactly a "smell." More like a sense that I'm at peace with the world - which finally is good, as it was in childhood -- and as though I'm directly connected to all its creative, and generative energy.

I guess I have no idea of the cause of it, but am grateful I have it and wish it could be bottled for rainier days.

Will

4/22/2024 08:09:52 am

Amazing , I have only just started experiencing this after a two year stint with long Covid.

I have fairly regular days without even having been noticeably sick where I just have what feels like total euphoria , as a lot of you have described above.

The closest I could compare it to is mdma

It tends to feel like it is coming from both the Center of my chest and the base of my skull/back of my neck.

Sometimes to the point where it can feel quite overwhelming.

I initially put this down to the long Covid having somehow damaged or triggered my dopamine receptors. As it has somehow managed to play havoc with almost all of my organ systems in one way or another. (But specifically the nervous system) perhaps an overcompensation of sorts?

Interesting to find some others who have experienced similar.

W

CABO

9/3/2024 03:52:39 am

I will be doing a self experiment to determine if the 'cold euphoria' experience is an (inner) mechanism of the body or an (outer) reaction coming from cough/flu medicines taken when sick. If the outer theory is true. We can isolate the chemical responsible for this experience. Or if proven to be false, we can move on closer to the truth of this experience. I've determined two medicines I usually take. So I will be taking one each week to determine which one would stimulate the cold euphoria effects. I am not sick currently.

CABO

10/7/2024 09:36:45 am

I have managed to simulate the feeling of cold euphoria. It is not the medicine at all. It is the interaction of neurochemicals within the body. All that I will say would be anecdotal and unscientific(speculation) so take this with a grain of salt. But I am confident that I have successfully simulated the feeling within myself. I think 'cold euphoria' is a normal feeling. This is how humans are supposed to feel when they are healthy and their bodies have an adequate supply of nutrients. With this, the neurochemicals inside us are working sufficiently. I think we're just mineral and nutrient deficient and that affects the interactions of the neurochemicals in our bodies, what happens during 'cold euphoria' is we're pumped with the proper neurochemicals to help us recover or feel better therefore experiencing a sense of normalness which we attribute as a euphoric feeling, when in fact it's how humans are supposed to feel when they're healthy. I didn't make any drastic change to my lifestyle, like exercise or sleeping properly. The only thing I changed was in my diet. Basically, I took shilajit(I urge you to research what it contains) and it has supplied me with the proper nutrients and minerals to function better. I don't advertise for you to take it, but what I want is for you to figure out the deficiencies within your own diet and see what happens when you're well supplied with the proper minerals and nutrients. My theory is Healthy diet with proper nutrients and minerals = neurochemicals working properly and efficiently = Cold euphoria feeling. Since we are in a constant state of deficiency, when we're pumped with neurochemicals by our bodies to counteract the cold/sickness feeling, we experience this 'cold euphoria' and think it's special. I am not concluding fully and I don't want you all to conclude the same. Instead, let's explore and figure out our bodies and how we feel this way. I'll update if I figure out more.

Binh

1/19/2025 10:11:40 pm

May I ask how long after you took shilajit did you realize the euphoria similar to that during a cold?

Sam

9/17/2024 03:43:32 am

I experience this very deeply and am experiencing it right now. I was attempting to articulate it earlier to my long suffering wife- I feel like I have zero obligations, zero expectations of myself, I can just relax and do whatever comes to mind, because I'm essentially housebound and unable to work, and the ever present shadow of a day-to-day adult human schedule has briefly been swept aside.

But that feels like confabulation and while it's true enough, I think this is more post hoc rationalisation than fact.

This could be pseudo intelectualism but its perhaps possible that 'cold euphoria' is, in some humans, an evolved routine of the brains reward network to incentivise one staying isolated and relatively sedentary to hasten recover from the illness as well as to avoid sharing it too widely.
Again, this could simply be a 'just so' evo-psych story but it makes some sense from an evolutionary perspective. Some people feel bad when they're sick and isolate anf sleep to recover thus protecting oneself and ones "tribe"; others feel good when they're sick and don't want to do anything thus protecting oneself and one's 'tribe'.

Anyway, I feel physically terrible but mentally stimulated enough that I googled the topic and spent 20 minutes reading comments here before finally adding my own 😀

12/31/2024 03:10:58 am

I'm finding this whole page fascinating. I'm in the feeling right now. I normally live with anxiety, a low mood, low energy, and (on top) I'm recovering from a traumatic bereavement 18 months ago. But right now I feel so calm, so and light, and happy. I was putting it down to the fact that I've got a week booked off work, and have been off since before Christmas, and because of my flu I was in bed for about 3.5 days and due to Christmas the fridge is full of food so my teens can feed themselves. I can genuinely do nothing today and there will be no consequences. The good feeling started yesterday, and today I'm just lounging around, but not feeling guilty about it

I've had this positive feeling from being ill twice before, but they were from food poisoning, but the last time was a few months into grieving losing my wife. I was aware that I should probably feel guilty that I was enjoying grieving in those few days, but let myself sink into it. I never managed to recreate that feeling though. That time was very hygge like now where I completely allowed myself to do nothing for a few days and just be warm and cozy. This is the theory I'm taking forward, the positive feeling is about rest and sleep and not having immediate responsibilities. I hope I manage to learn to keep it going.

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Cold Euphoria

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