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Love is a Natural Painkiller

by beautifulandhappy.comPain And Love

Pain is a subjective experience. In a medical setting, pain assessment is established through facial expressions, scales and verbal descriptions. Every individual undergoes several kinds of pain. Physical pain can be caused by illness, trauma or surgery. Emotional pains are due to death of a loved one, divorce, sexual abuse or loss of a job. Pharmacological regimen and hospital care are accessible and available for management of pain. The most unrecognized pain reliever is love.

Dr. Sean’s Research

Last October 13, PLoS One, a medical journal, published a research 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, which can alleviate the patient’s pain. Dr. Mackey is also the principal author of this investigation. Together with his associates, they used a functional MRI and PET scans detecting 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 series of 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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The researches inflicted pain to the participants while these images and distractions were flashed.

Based on the Dr. Mackey’s research, the outcome was a breakthrough. The study proved that persons experiencing love felt minimal pain. Passionate feelings serve as a pain reliever since it activates specific brain’s neurotransmitter. The brain system releases a series of hormones, which gave the participants, sentiments of euphoria, relaxation and contentment.

Love Is A Natural Painkiller

Our brain is an electromagnetic structure providing an organized connection in 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 sex and love.

Pharmacologic painkillers, cocaine and amphetamines give the same feelings of relaxation and contentment. Our brain is a complex organization of neurons, which provides our bodies with the natural cure for pain. Dr. Mackey’s research reminds us that our body is an important asset. This investigation can also help patients suffering from a great deal of pain, especially during the chronic stage of an illness. Love, actually, works in mysterious ways.

References:
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/sex-relationships/dating/2010-10-14-love-painkiller_N.htm?csp=34news

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/your-love-is-my-drug.html

October 27, 2010 - Posted by travis porter | Health | Dr. Sean’s Research, Love is a Natural Painkiller, Outcome of the Study, Pain and Love