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pain

·April 22, 2024·5 min read

Socioeconomic Factors Linked to Chronic Pain

Socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and psychological factors significantly influence the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain after injury. The study found that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are twice as likely to experience chronic pain, and those with additional risk factors such as smoking, fear of movement, and poor support networks are up to seven times more likely.

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·March 29, 2024·7 min read

Teens & Screen Pain: Unveiling Netflix’s Impact on Youth Empathy

Popular Netflix shows and films expose adolescents to an average of 10 incidents of pain every hour, challenging portrayals of pain and suffering in media aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds. This first-of-its-kind research scrutinizes the depiction of painful incidents and responses in shows like "Stranger Things" and "Sex Education."

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·March 12, 2024·6 min read

AI and Mindfulness: A New Way to Manage Pain

A new study examines the potential of artificial intelligence to shift chronic pain treatment from opioids to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Utilizing machine learning to analyze extensive patient data, the study aims to predict which patients will benefit most from MBSR, a critical step towards personalized medicine.

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·February 6, 2024·5 min read

Schwann Cells Key to Touch and Pain

Schwann cells, previously known for their role as insulators around nerve fibers, are actively involved in detecting sensory stimuli such as touch and pain. This groundbreaking study reveals that specific types of Schwann cells form a network just beneath the skin's surface, directly connecting to nerve endings responsible for sensing mechanical pressure.

Featured Neuroscience Pain

·January 4, 2024·5 min read

Electrical Stimulation Enhances Hypnotizability

Researchers have found that targeted electrical stimulation of the brain can temporarily increase a person's hypnotizability, potentially allowing more individuals to benefit from hypnosis-based therapies for pain relief and other conditions. In a study involving participants with fibromyalgia, electrical stimulation delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex boosted hypnotizability for about an hour.

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·December 15, 2023·5 min read

Spinal Cord Stimulation Alleviates Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees

Researchers made a significant breakthrough in treating phantom limb pain in lower-limb amputees. Their study demonstrates how spinal cord stimulation, triggered by pressure sensors on a prosthetic foot, can restore sensation in the missing foot and significantly reduce phantom limb pain.

Featured Neuroscience Pain

·November 15, 2023·3 min read

Men Feel Less Pain When It’s Inflicted By A Woman

Researchers have uncovered a unique aspect of pain perception: men feel less pain when it is inflicted by a woman compared to a man. This phenomenon was observed in both experimental settings with healthy volunteers and postoperative patients.

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·November 10, 2023·5 min read

Aching for Accord: Pain Influences Politics

Research reveals an unusual correlation between pain sensitivity and political openness. Pain-sensitive individuals tend to endorse values and show support for politicians typically associated with the opposing political camp.

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·October 26, 2023·5 min read

Your Favorite Song Might Just Be Your Pain’s Worst Enemy

Researchers discovered that music, specifically individuals' favorite tracks, can reduce pain perception. In the study, participants felt less pain intensity and unpleasantness when listening to their favorite music compared to unfamiliar relaxing tunes or silence.

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·October 25, 2023·3 min read

How Sleep Loss Amplifies Pain

Researchers discovered how sleep deprivation can exacerbate pain. Their study demonstrates that a neurotransmitter, N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA), decreases in a brain region called the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) due to sleep loss.

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·September 20, 2023·6 min read

Unlocking Non-Opioid Pain Relief: Acetylcholine’s Untapped Potential

Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery in the field of pain management: an alternative pathway in the brain that provides relief similar to opioids but without the addiction risks. This mechanism leverages the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region of the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·August 7, 2023·4 min read

Untangling the Ties Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health

A recent commentary underscores the complex relationship between chronic pain and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. The interaction is revealed to be driven by a bi-directional feedback loop, where physical pain impacts sleep and mood, making individuals more susceptible to mental health issues.