Have you ever had a searing burn or a sudden cut and thought, I need to hurry up or I'll worsen it? Well, you're not just responding physically — your brain is doing a huge amount of work in terms of how you sense pain, and in some cases, it's actually turning it off.

During World War II, Dr. Henry Beecher observed something amazing, some soldiers with severe battlefield wounds, even the loss of limbs, didn't hurt much. This wasn't due to their immunity to harm but because their brains could short-circuit the pain messages. This effect, in which emotions, stress, and fear can change our perception of pain, still fascinates scientists today.

What is pain, in real?

Pain isn't something you "pick up" on — it's something your brain generates. When your body meets something that will hurt it, nerve cells called nociceptors detect the threat, such as heat or sharp objects, and send the message to your brain. That's when pain is generated. The point here is that pain is a protective response, encouraging you to withdraw from harm to avoid more damage.

Why does the pain feel different for everyone?

Pain is not a one-size-fits-all affair. What hurts like a 7 out of 10 to one individual might only hurt a 4 for another. The pain can differ immensely based on the way your brain interprets the information. Some individuals even don't experience pain at all because they have a rare condition known as congenital analgesia. While it sounds like a blessing, it can cause serious injuries because these people can't detect when their bodies are being injured.

Can you control your pain?

Your body has a built-in pain relief system, thanks to a part of the brain called the periaqueductal grey (PAG). This small area helps control the pain signals sent to your brain, reducing pain when needed. For example, in a battle, it allows soldiers to keep going despite injuries. In daily life, it helps you hold onto something hot just long enough to move it without dropping it.

The main substances involved in this process are enkephalins, which are produced in the brain and spinal cord. These compounds work like strong painkillers, offering natural pain relief.

Can you "hack" your brain for pain relief?

Studies indicate that you may be able to turn on this natural pain control system through normal activities. For instance, routine exercise has been found to increase the production of enkephalins, which can help alleviate chronic pain such as backaches. Stress, food intake, and even sex may also make the brain more efficient at suppressing pain.

Can your day-to-day habits treat your aches and pains more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers? Researchers are still investigating the ways in which these activities affect the brain, but the news is encouraging. 

Although our brains are capable of intense painkilling, the progress toward comprehension and enhancing painkillers is not complete. Earlier last month, the FDA approved a novel drug, Journavx, which disables pain messages prior to reaching the brain, marking a potential future development in managing pain without turning to addictive substances like morphine.

[This article is based on a piece by Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol, published in The Conversation.]

You might also be interested in – Paracetamol linked to stomach, heart, and kidney issues in older adults: Study