In ancient times, people were divided into hunters and gatherers, and their main task was to survive and preserve the family. The physiology and structure of the human brain define why it constantly needs a reward. This principle is called the “brain reward system,” and it affects our actions more than it seems. Gambling affects the primitive part of the brain, which from an evolutionary point of view is less developed and associated with momentary pleasure. That is why many gamblers experience real pleasure or even euphoria during the game.

What Is Euphoria?

Euphoria is a state in which an excellent mood, a tendency to laugh without any trivial reason, a high degree of satisfaction (from life and oneself), and a feeling of freedom are manifested. Euphoria does not depend on the state of health of a particular person and the physical comfort that he feels — it can occur in conditions of general body fatigue and even severe physiological diseases. Natural (“healthy”) causes of euphoria include:

• * changes in metabolic processes during increased physical activity such as running, strenuous exercise, or cycling;

• * emotional affection, passion, or love, which is why some people become addicted to sex;

• * entertainment, such as rock concert, gambling at IVI casino New Zealand, dancing, etc.;

• * activities related to changes in atmospheric pressure, such as climbing or diving, etc.

So, people usually choose the most available option to experience euphoria, and gambling causes vivid emotions.

Why Do Gamblers Feel Euphoria?

First of all, it should be noted that winning, in this case, is not the most important thing. Mark Griffiths, a psychologist at Nottingham Trent University and an expert on behavioural addictions, says players attribute their passion to multiple reasons. A poll of 5,500 players showed that their main motive was the opportunity to “win big money.” However, it was closely followed by arguments such as “this is fun” and “this is exciting.” Even if you lose at a game of chance, your body still produces adrenaline and endorphins. People come to gambling establishments to have fun and experience these feelings.

These findings are supported by research by Stanford University in California. They found that about 92% of people have a “loss limit” at which they stop gambling. However, the very fact of losing money after going to the casino does not always affect their overall gaming experience. “People seem to be happy with relatively small wins and are willing to accept small losses,” said study co-author Sridhar Narayanan. “They generally understand that in the long run, they are more likely to lose rather than win.”

In addition, losing can reinforce the positive emotions of winning at least for a short time. The reason for this lies in the changing expectations of players during loss. Robb Rutledge, a neuroscientist at University College London, and his colleagues experimented with 26 people. People were offered situations in which they had to make a choice leading either to a definite or to an indefinite result. The study yielded many interesting results: for example, scientists found that the fewer participants expected to win, the more they enjoyed it. This was evidenced by the subjects’ own assessment and the data obtained as a result of brain scans.

In Conclusion

If you feel a lack of positive emotions and euphoria, you can visit gambling institutions. It has been proved that gambling causes a state of euphoria, for which you don’t have to climb the mountain or run 10 kilometres in the morning. So, why not try it?