I personally know someone who suffers from chronic pain. My grandmother has had arthritis for a long time, and she constantly complains that her hands are always hurting and her knee hurts most of the time too. My grandfather also experiences chronic pain from a former surgery. He had carpel tunnel surgery and he says his fingers constantly feel like fire ants are biting him and his hand goes numb a lot. Some unhealthy ways that people choose to cope with pain is by using alcohol. Another unhealthy way people cope with pain is by abusing prescription medicine that they might have previously had. According to Dr. Gruber, people use food, illicit drugs, and tobacco for self-comfort and short-term relief (Myers, Shapiro, Dunleavy, Rauf, & Konkel). Some healthy suggestions that can help with pain is exercising. Dr. Gandhi says that “low impact forms of physical activity such as yoga can have a positive impact on mental and physical well-being of a patient” (Myers, Shapiro, Dunleavy, Rauf, & Konkel). Other options are but not limited to “meditation, deep breathing, and guided imagery to take your body to a more relaxing place” (Myers, Shapiro, Dunleavy, Rauf, & Konkel). According to Scripps Research, the nociception/NOP system was being studied in the amygdala ("Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain"). They looked at the “expression of NOP-coding genes in rats” ("Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain"). They also found that opioids can be taken to inhibit pain sensation in this part of the brain. I think that different people perceive pain differently. For example, I think that someone who is not in a good place mentally might experience pain in a more sever way than someone who is in a good mental health state. I think this because someone who is not in a good mental health probably is not in a good emotional place either and it seems like when you’re in a bad mood or upset things pile up and affect you a little bit harder.
Myers, ByWyatt, et al. “The Best and Worst Ways to Cope With Pain - Pain Management Center - Everyday Health.” EverydayHealth.com, www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-cope-with-pain.aspx.
“Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain.” Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain | Scripps Research, www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2014/20140108roberto.html.
“The Mysterious Science of Pain - Joshua W. Pate.” TED, TED-Ed, ed.ted.com/lessons/the-mysterious-science-of-pain-joshua-w-pate.