How to Get a Natural High Without Drugs or Alcohol

What Is a Natural High?

A natural high is a feeling of euphoria or elation that occurs as a result of natural and healthy activities or experiences, such as exercise, spending time in nature, or socializing with loved ones. Unlike artificial highs caused by drugs or alcohol, getting naturally high is non-addictive and has no negative long-term effects. It is intended to help people reach that sense of satisfaction and fulfillment without engaging in the destructive habits they have grown to rely on. When you can get high naturally, they improve your chances of maintaining multiple facets of your health. This is just one of the many benefits that individuals can experience.

What Are the Benefits of Natural Highs?

The psychological impact that natural highs have on mental health is one of their main advantages. Endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin are neurotransmitters linked to pleasure and mood control. They are released when you exercise, meditate, or spend time in nature. This hormonal rush not only elevates one's spirits but also aids in reducing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Regular participation in natural highs can improve mental toughness and the ability to handle adversities in life.

Natural highs also encourage a closer connection to oneself and the environment. Yoga, mindfulness exercises, and artistic endeavors are a few examples of activities that promote reflection and self-awareness. These encounters frequently provide people with a sense of fulfillment and purpose, resulting in a life that is more satisfying and meaningful.

Additionally, communal activities that promote social connection and a sense of belonging, such as team sports or group meditation, are examples of natural highs. In addition to improving connections, this also fosters a stronger sense of belonging and support. In the end, the advantages of natural highs go beyond personal well-being and have a favorable effect on the communal mental and emotional well-being of communities.

Finding a natural way to get high can also enhance general well-being and physical health. These can all be supported by a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest. Exercise, in particular, has been demonstrated to improve immunological function, cardiovascular health, and cognitive performance. A holistic approach to well-being is achieved by combining these physical advantages with the improved mental and emotional well-being that natural highs promote.

Activities that promote a healthy endorphin high make people more likely to prioritize self-care and make deliberate decisions about their physical and mental health, which usually leads to healthier lifestyle decisions. This ripple effect has long-term benefits, such as a decreased risk of contracting a number of chronic diseases and an improvement in general quality of life.

The Best Ways to Get High Naturally

Although drugs may be able to get you a powerful high, in the long run, the costs drastically outweigh the benefits. Instead, there are plenty of natural ways to get high that can be healthy for you. Especially in early recovery while your body is still adjusting, natural highs may help you fill a void and avoid relapse. As a rehab in Pennsylvania, we are sharing some tips on how to get high naturally in recovery.

Exercise

If you have never exercised regularly, you may find it unenjoyable or have never been able to reap the benefits -- but do not dismiss it so quickly. High-adrenaline activities like exercise can release feel-good chemicals called endorphins that reduce pain and create a pleasurable feeling likened to a natural high.¹ Give it a chance and start exercising more regularly. After getting over the initial hump, you may find that exercising provides you with the high you have been missing.

Meditation

When many people think of natural highs, they may automatically associate this feeling with more active endeavors or adrenaline-pumping events, but this is not the only way to get high naturally. Meditation, which focuses more on slowing the body down, can be a natural means of getting high. Like active exercises, practicing meditation releases endorphins and helps make people feel better. One study even found that trained meditators have elevated endorphin levels similar to elite runners but an even higher “feel-good effect.”²

Thrilling Activities

If you are looking for a more sudden rush of adrenaline or something to get your heart pumping, there are several activities out there for adrenaline junkies that may give you the powerful natural high you are looking for. Extreme sports, cage diving, ziplining, and bungee jumping are all popular activities.

Keep in mind that while thrilling, these activities also tend to come with a bigger risk of injury, so proceed with caution. Also, if you find yourself more scared than enjoying yourself, this may not be for you. The most important component is making sure you genuinely enjoy the activities you engage in.

Dance

Not only is it a good form of exercise, but dancing is one of the most fun and engaging ways to get high without a substance. Dancing can boost mood, release endorphins, and increase dopamine levels. The best part is there are so many different styles of dance that there is something for everyone. Whether you are content to dance around your room or want to try your hand at salsa lessons, dancing could be the answer.

Perform

Some people swear by the rush they get when they are on stage. If this appeals to you, you could try out for your community theater, join a dance performance team, audition for a band or orchestra, perform stand-up comedy at an open mic, or join your church choir. Not only can regular participation in these activities fill up your free time, but you may discover that you love performing. If you have stage fright, in addition to being onstage, there are many opportunities to be involved in theater while backstage. From sounds to lights to sets and more, the arts are also a great way to make connections and build new relationships with others with shared interests.

Everyone is different, so it may take some time to figure out how to get high naturally without drugs. Try something new and see what you like. Just be careful not to overdo it and replace one addiction with another.