Understanding Pain: Shedding Light on the Body's Response to Injury
One medical professional recalls a time when he was 12 years old and accidentally impaled himself on a fence. Even though this might sound horrific, he remembers surprisingly feeling a sense of euphoria. This unexpected reaction was due to his body's natural pain relief system, which produces endorphins in response to injury.
He explains that the body's response to pain can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals might experience a burst of endorphins, leading to a peculiar situation where they might be laughing despite having a severe injury. This is a protective response from the body, but not everyone will have the same reaction.
Exploring Pain and Effective Ways to Manage it
In his recent book, this medical expert, who is also a trained neurosurgeon, delves into the topic of pain. He discusses what triggers it, how it can be managed with various medications, and how mental training techniques like distraction and meditation can be used to reduce certain types of pain.
He suggests that people often become hyper-focused on the sensation of pain, and taking them out of this hyper-focus can be beneficial. He believes that with proper training, the brain can be taught to reduce the intensity of pain.
Understanding the Brain's Role in Pain Perception
Phantom limb pain is a classic example of the brain misinterpreting signals. People who have had a limb amputated can still feel pain in the missing part. This phenomenon has provided valuable insights into the brain's role in pain perception. It raises the question: if the brain decides what is painful, can it also create pain? The answer seems to be yes.
Referred pain is another instance of the brain misinterpreting signals. For example, someone having a heart attack might feel pain in their jaw or left arm instead of their chest. In some cases, the brain keeps playing the loop of pain repeatedly, leading to chronic pain. These are just a few ways the brain can either mistake or misinterpret signals and pain.
The Power of Pleasure in Pain Management
The human body has its own internal morphine system, known as the endogenous opioid system. Activation of this system can release endorphins throughout the body, and one way to do this is through practicing active gratitude. This means truly savoring and appreciating experiences, which can stimulate the release of these natural pain-relieving molecules.
How the Body's Natural Opioid System Outperforms Synthetic Opioids
Many real-world medications and techniques are inspired by the human body's natural processes. The endogenous opioid system is sensitive and can turn on and off efficiently. Unlike synthetic opioids, which can have lingering side effects, the body's natural opioids can be washed away quickly. This system plays a crucial role in managing pain, mood, and even memory.
The Role of Inflammation in Healing
Inflammation often gets a bad reputation. However, it serves an important purpose in healing. When an ankle is sprained and it becomes red and swollen, inflammation is actually protecting the site of injury and aiding in the healing process. It is important to understand that everyone has a different pain threshold and that inflammation is a natural response of the body.
New Non-Opioid Pain Medication on the Horizon
A new non-opioid pain medication called Suzetrigine is making headlines. Its discovery was inspired by a family of circus performers in Karachi, Pakistan, who could perform remarkable feats without experiencing pain. Researchers identified a common gene in the family and spent 25 years trying to replicate its effects. The result is a medication that targets pain without eliminating sensation entirely.
Is Cannabis Effective for Pain Relief?
While cannabis is often touted as a potential solution for pain management, the data does not fully support this claim. It appears that only about a third of people find cannabis to be effective in managing their pain. For the remaining two-thirds, cannabis does not seem to provide significant relief. More research is needed to understand why cannabis works for some and not for others.