Healer’s high

Sanjay Kalra; Suneet Kumar Verma; Nitin Kapoor

doi:10.47391/JPMA.23-73

Author(s)

Sanjay Kalra Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, India; University Center for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India

Suneet Kumar Verma Department of Medicine, Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula, India; Sparsh Clinic, Zirakpur, India

Nitin Kapoor Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India; Non-communicable disease unit, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

We explore the concept of healer's high, a phenomenon similar to runner's high. We defi ne healer's high as a psycho-endocrine response of intense happiness and bliss, accompanied by a feeling of enhanced energy, experienced by health care professionals when they heal or help someone. We describe the endocrinology that underlies healer's high, and posit that this phenomenon may be used to enhance professional satisfaction, and mitigate compassion fatigue and burnout.

Publication Details

Page(s) 2114-2115

DOI 10.47391/JPMA.23-73

Published Journal: Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Volume: 73, Issue: 10, Year: 2023

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Keywords

opioids, ß-endorphins, person-centred care, psychosocial aspects., holistic endocrinology, endocannabinoids