In the experience of pain many factors influence. These are some of those identified by science in recent years.
The intention counts.Any ailment is more intense if we consider that someone is intentionally hurting us, while if we think that the pain has occurred due to a mere accident it is much lighter, as Kurt Gray recently proved in a study published in the journalPsychological Science.
Education level.Statistics reveal that individuals with lower educational levels suffer from pain for longer throughout their lives, 12% more to be exact.
Loneliness.We are more likely to feel pain when alone than in the company of our friends or our partner.
Smell and pain.Unpleasant odors can greatly increase the sensation of pain, while a good aroma acts as a powerful pain reliever, according to a recent study published in the journal Pain.
Matter of faith.A team of neuroscientists from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge showed that by looking at a religious image devout Catholics experience 12% less pain than atheists and agnostics. When comparing the brain activity of the two groups, the researchers found that the difference was that only in the believers had the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex been activated.
Petting.When it comes to pain, the power of a caress should not be underestimated either. According to the British neuroscientist Francis McGlone, from the University of Liverpool, there is a system of nerve fibers in the skin that specifically responds to stimuli of pleasure, such as caresses. And when they are stimulated, the activity of the pain-conducting nerves decreases considerably. Of course, not just any caress is worth it. According to McGlone, for it to take effect you have tostroking slowly and with very little pressure.
