Summary: A study reveals that maintaining a consistent daily routine can significantly reduce physical pain and ease symptoms of depression, offering a accessible strategy for improving overall quality of life,…
Category: Pain
The “Goldilocks” Choice: Why Older Adults are Turning to Cannabis
Summary: Cannabis use among adults over 60 is the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., yet their motivations and decision-making processes have largely remained a mystery. A new study reveals that…
Nicotine Withdrawal Makes Smokers More Sensitive to Pain
Summary: A new study shows that abstinent smokers experience heightened pain sensitivity linked to altered activity in specific brain regions. Compared to nonsmokers, abstinent smokers required more postoperative pain relief—especially…
Pain Resilience, Not Pain Itself, Predicts How Active People Stay
Summary: A new study reveals that how people think about and cope with chronic pain is more important than the pain itself in determining physical activity levels. Researchers found that…
Psilocybin Rewire Brain Circuits Tied to Pain and Mood
Summary: New research shows that psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, can reduce both chronic pain and pain-related depression by modulating brain circuits rather than acting at the site…
New Drug Aims to Block Pain Without Addiction Risks
Summary: Chronic pain affects millions, but opioid medications bring high risks of dependence and side effects. Researchers have now pinpointed specific neurons in the amygdala that make pain feel unpleasant,…
What You Expect Shapes How Much Pain You Feel
Key Questions Answered Q: How do expectations influence pain perception?A: Expectations shaped by external cues (like visual signals) and those shaped by treatment information (like placebo explanations) both reduce pain,…
Old Injuries Rewire the Brain to Feel Fear and Pain Forever
Quick Q&A Q: Can past injuries increase sensitivity to future pain or stress?A: Yes — this study shows that old injuries can prime the brain to overreact to new stressors,…
Pain Perception in Babies Develops in Stages After Birth
Summary: A new study shows that the networks responsible for processing pain in infants develop gradually, with emotional and cognitive pain responses maturing only after birth. Researchers scanned the brains…
