Sprenger and his colleagues—whose previous work examined the placebo effect—another brain–body mystery—believes distraction is just one of many cognitive cases in which the brain modulates pain. He adds that their research is a first step. Much of the pain-response process seen in this study remains unknown: current functional magnetic resonance image technology can focus on either the brain or the spinal cord, but not both, and fine details—such as precisely how naloxone interacts with the nervous system and opioids—are invisible.

The study, however, does provide a candidate mechanism for the brain's inhibition of the pain response, a mechanism that can be measured and further studied, eventually leading to clinical applications such as therapies. Meanwhile, the next time you have a toothache, rather than pop some acetaminophen, consider a brainteaser.

7 Comments

1. 1. ASGMc 08:20 AM 5/18/12

   I think this would explain the preoccupation inherent with addictions as well. A busy brain dampens external stimuli, and probably internal pain as well in order to maintain focus. Relief from pain is even more rewarding than satiation, which would explain why addiction never leads to satiation. Thinking itself is addictive for the brain.

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2. 2. Stagnaro 08:37 AM 5/19/12

   To corroborate this fascinating research results, and especially to ascertain the possible mechanism for the brain's inhibition of the pain response - a mechanism that can be measured and further studied, eventually leading to clinical applications such as therapies, I suggest a clinical method, I have created 25 years ago, based on bedside assessing endogenous endorphynes:Stagnaro S., Stagnaro-Neri M., Valutazione percusso-ascoltatoria del sistema degli oppioidi endogeni nei pazienti cefalalgici. Contributo alla definizione della costituzione emicranica. Epat. 33, 35, 1987. In addition, we must remember also that endogenous endorphynes prompt antibody synthesis.

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3. 3. Stagnaro 08:38 AM 5/19/12

   To corroborate this fascinating research results, and especially to ascertain the possible mechanism for the brain's inhibition of the pain response - a mechanism that can be measured and further studied, eventually leading to clinical applications such as therapies, I suggest a clinical method, I have created 25 years ago, based on bedside assessing endogenous endorphynes:Stagnaro S., Stagnaro-Neri M., Valutazione percusso-ascoltatoria del sistema degli oppioidi endogeni nei pazienti cefalalgici. Contributo alla definizione della costituzione emicranica. Epat. 33, 35, 1987. In addition, we must remember also that endogenous endorphynes prompt antibody synthesis.

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4. 4. stargene 08:40 PM 5/19/12

   Disregarding any mechanism, I can imagine that
   if our species had not evolved some way to think
   and plan while not being too distracted by mental
   or physical pain, we might not have survived as
   a species. Ie: a being which is routinely pre-
   occupied, even to the point of distraction, with
   the sufferings imposed by simply existing in the
   world, will have less chance of coping and finding
   strategies for avoiding causes of suffering in the
   future. Such coping and planning, however rudi-
   mentary, would be enhanced by any mechanism giving
   the mind a 'breathing space', away from pain.

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5. 5. PatZu 02:35 AM 5/20/12

   Perhaps the brain is merely delighted by engaging in a task, and rewards itself with a little opiod buzz. Pain mitigation is a side-effect.

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6. 6. jtdwyer in reply to stargene 07:14 AM 5/20/12

   I agree with your sentiments, but I strongly suspect the mechanism producing this effect was developed long before modern humans came along. Have you ever seen a rat in a trap? They do not go quietly, but struggle mightily to find a way out of the trap, including ingeniously backing through a space too small for the trap. I suspect they would not be able to attend to their predicament if they had succumbed to the induced pain potential.

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7. 7. jperk82 11:15 PM 9/3/12

   This method could be held true. To me, this is a method of diversion like when two thieves enter a store attempting to steal. One diverts the clerks attention while the other stuffs articles of clothing in a bag. If the brain is focused on something other than pain, the pain may seem a little less intense than it would if the attention was primarily on the pain. When I was a child, I broke my arms and had pins in it until it healed. When it was time for the pins to come out, the doctor told me to look the other way diverting my attention from the procedure at hand. It only made me look but why did the doctor attempt to make me focus on something else? I think the answer would be correlate with this study.

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