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The power of fear: How is our pain perception regulated in the face of danger?
Throughout human history, pain has been regarded as a vital warning signal, reminding us to stay away from potential danger. In many cases, our body's sensitivity to pain varies due to a variety of factors, a phenomenon known as hypoalgesia. This article will explore the mechanisms of hypopain, specifically the regulatory process in the face of fear or danger, and how this process affects our survival instincts.
Hypoalgesia is a phenomenon of reduced sensitivity to painful stimuli, which usually occurs when a certain link in the pain transmission pathway is affected.
Chemical causes of low pain perception
Chemistry is one of the main causes of hypoalgesia, especially certain prostaglandins (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs) and opiates, which act on the peripheral and central nervous systems to reduce pain. Different types of analgesics relieve pain by reducing inflammation and swelling, which also reduces the source of the pain.
For example, opioids such as morphine and codeine act primarily on opiate receptors in the central nervous system and help modulate pain perception.
Low pain sensation caused by exercise
Studies have found a strong link between exercise and lower pain perception. Many studies have shown that patients who undergo exercise experience significantly reduced pain responses. Although the mechanisms of exercise-induced hypoalgesia are not fully understood, there is evidence that increases in blood pressure during exercise trigger the release of endogenous opioids. This process may be critical for survival, as we need to reduce our perception of pain during high-intensity exercise in order to be able to respond to emergencies.
After the body senses an increase in blood pressure, endogenous opioids are released, further reducing pain.
Fear-induced low pain sensation
Fear is also considered an evolved defense mechanism that effectively provides protection. In the face of life-threatening threats, reduced pain perception makes it easier for organisms to escape danger, so low pain perception plays a key role in this battle. Although fear-induced hypopain is well documented, its specific mechanisms are not fully understood. Research shows that opioids are involved in this process, but opioids alone cannot fully explain this analgesic response.
Fear can activate the pain regulation mechanism, reducing the perception of pain and effectively enhancing the chance of survival.
Disease and low pain perception
Many diseases may also cause low pain perception. Among them, hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathies (such as congenital analgesia, CIPA) cause pain receptors to fail to function properly, and patients may be seriously harmed without knowing it. In addition, conditions related to high blood pressure, such as diabetes, may also cause low pain perception, which is associated with neuropathy.
For example, CIPA patients may accidentally injure themselves due to their inability to perceive pain, demonstrating the importance of pain perception to life and survival.
Conclusion
In our lives, low pain perception is not just a physiological phenomenon, it involves deeper evolutionary significance and survival strategies. When faced with a threat, our bodies automatically activate this pain regulation mechanism to help us overcome difficulties and, in some cases, may even lose the perception of pain. This makes us wonder, what role does pain play in our survival?
