How Opioids Can Worsen Pain
The longer you take opioids to blunt chronic pain, the more likely you are to experience enhanced pain as the body tries to restore normal sensory function.
fMRI’s Ability to Show Pain
We are learning a great deal about pain from fMRI. fMRI is a technique that allows us to look at areas of the brain that are metabolically active. In this way, we can peer into the mind and see what parts of the brain light up when we are thinking about someone we love, or something we dislike. We can also see what it looks like to feel pain.
Pain and Genetics
It is clear that our ability to experience pain is inherited from our parents. Some are more susceptible to pain than others and this is directly related to our genes.
Inflammation and Pain
An inflammatory reflex develops following cell damage or an infectious inflammation (virus, bacteria, toxin). This results in the release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators. These inflammatory mediators cause a sickness syndrome.
Sleep, Exercise and Pain
Taking healthy college students and restricting sleep and exercise will result in chronic pain.
Glial Cells and Opioids
Glial cells play an important role in producing and maintaining pain. They also play an important role in influencing how well opioid pain relievers function.
How do Glial Cells Effect Pain?
We know that glial cells ramp up their effects in response to pain. We know that they can be responsible for enhancing pain.
Glial Cells and Pain
Under baseline conditions, glial cells have no influence on pain, but once activated, they have the ability to enhance the pain experience and response.
Reading Minds
Researchers are developing techniques using fMRI to see what you are thinking.
