(Photo Credit: seyed mostafa zamani/Flickr/CC-BY)
Pain is a subjective experience. In a medical setting, pain assessment is established through facial expressions, scales and verbal descriptions. Every individual undergoes different kinds of pain. Physical pain can be caused by illness, trauma or surgery. Emotional pain could be caused by a death of a loved one, divorce, sexual abuse or loss of a job, or maybe your paycheck is short this week and now you need a payday loan or low cost cash advance loan. Pharmacological regimen and hospital care are accessible and available for management of pain, but the most unrecognized pain reliever is love.
Dr. Sean Mackey’s research
On Oct. 13, PLoS One, a medical journal, published a research paper by Dr. Sean Mackey on the relationship of love and pain. Dr. Sean Mackey is an anesthesiologist and the chief director of Stanford’s Division of Pain Management. Stanford System Neuroscience and Pain Laboratory (SNAPL) conducted a study on patients’ pain and alleviation. Dr. Mackey is also the principal author of this investigation. With aid from his associates, Dr. Mackey used a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to detect brain activity during stress and intense emotional pleasure.
Outcome of the study
In this study, they used 15 Stanford volunteers who are currently head-over-heels. The participants went through a number of different tests. They were exposed to pictures of their loved ones, photos of their interest and attractive distractions. The participants’ brain scans were simultaneously assessed in a detailed neuroimaging machine such as the MRI and PET. The researches then inflicted pain on the participants while the images and distractions were flashed, and based on Dr. Mackey’s research, the outcome was a breakthrough.
The study showed that persons experiencing love felt minimal pain. Passionate feelings serve as a pain reliever because they activates specific brain neurotransmitters. The brain system releases a series of hormones, which gave the participants sentiments of euphoria, relaxation and contentment.
Love is a natural painkiller
A brain is an electromagnetic structure that provides a organized production of dopamine, cortisol, serotonin and endorphins. An increase in cortisol levels lowers pain sensitivity. Dopamine, serotonin and endorphins are acting in the brain’s reward system, which gives humans a sense of happiness and enjoyment. Usually, these mechanisms are activated during intercourse and love.
Pharmacologic painkillers and amphetamines give the same feelings of relaxation and contentment. The brain is a complex organization of neurons, and it provides the body with a natural cure for pain. Dr. Mackey’s research reminds us that our bodies are important assets. This investigation can also help patients who are suffering from a great deal of pain, especially during the chronic stage of an illness. Love certainly works in mysterious ways.
