Pain is a sensory signal generated as a result of the protective mechanism performed by a human body and provides an alert about potential tissue damage or other harms. The primary purpose of pain is to warn us about potential harm when something potentially dangerous is happening, like touching a gas stove. However, the human brain can miraculously switch off pain signals in certain situations.

In this blog, we’ll explore how the human brain can perform pain modulation by understanding the pain and neuro regions or chemicals that regulate the pain modulation process.

Pain: A Protective Mechanism in the Body

During World War II, Henry Beecher, a reputed physician, observed that some of the injured soldiers were able to bear pain without any strong painkiller dosage, even for severe injuries like losing a limb. In those cases, the remarkable phenomenon of the brain switching off pain became activated, triggered by external effects like fear, stress, etc. Though pain is not considered pleasant, it is still an essential part of a human body’s defensive system.

Specialized nerve endings called nociceptors detect harmful stimuli and send electrical signals along the nerve fibers to the spinal cord, which further relays the information to the brain. The brain then interprets these incoming signals as pain sensations and allows us to perceive or initiate a response. However, this protective sensation has two variants: acute or short-term pain, which serves a protective function, and chronic or long-term pain, which may not have a clear protective purpose.

Anesthetics Block Pain Signals

Several external factors can modulate pain transmission; however, anesthetics are most commonly used for this purpose. Anesthetics block pain signals by preventing nerves from transmitting electrical signals to the spinal cord, which relays the impulses to the brain. Anesthetic medications, particularly local anesthetics like lidocaine and bupivacaine, are injected near the targeted nerve to deactivate nociceptors and numb a specific area during a minor procedure.

Some anesthetic medications might cause loss of consciousness for a short time, which are generally preferred for extensive surgical operations. However, the pain sensation varies from one person to another. Additionally, some humans with an innate rare genetic condition, congenital analgesia, refrain from feeling pain. For some, this condition might be considered an advantage; however, it is completely the opposite. People with this genetic condition remain unaware of the harm or potential injuries their bodies are suffering from.

Natural Painkillers in the Human Brain

Individuals that are not born with the CIP genetic condition can still possess the innate ability to modulate the pain sensation levels. The brain can miraculously switch off pain by activating a region called the periaqueductal gray (PAG). This small, centrally located region in the brain plays a key role in switching off pain, as it acts as a gatekeeper and controls the intensity of pain signals reaching the conscious brain.

The PAG alters the incoming pain signals and prevents them from reaching the cerebral cortex, effectively lowering the pain experience. This process involves the release of natural painkillers like endorphins and enkephalins that act as a self-generated analgesic system. These are released from diverse areas of the brain and the spinal cord, effectively blocking pain. It also addresses the issue of chronic long-term pain, which doesn’t serve any protective or useful function due to the abnormalities raised in the natural analgesic system.

Some psychological factors like stress, fear, and strong emotions can influence how the brain interprets the pain sometimes, which leads to a temporary switch-off or modulation of pain perception. Additionally, engaging in activities like exercise, fast walking, meditation, eating, getting a massage, acupuncture, etc., can also temporarily modulate the pain, as they boost the release of endorphins. These external factors divert attention away from the pain source and help the brain minimize the pain experience.

Conclusion

The human brain has the significant ability to control pain by activating PAG and inducing the release of enkephalins and endorphins. Additionally, the diverse distractions influence our mental state or focus and modulate the pain levels. Meditation, positive emotions, and other mindfulness practices help to detach the brain from the pain experience. The placebo effect often works well in patients; when they’re encouraged to believe that the treatment will work, it triggers the brain’s natural pain-relieving mechanisms. From mental practices to lifestyle changes, you can gain this miraculous ability to modulate pain just by some simple tricks.

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