Chronic pain is something that affects millions of people worldwide and it seems to be becoming more common. However, it’s not always clear what causes it. Many medics think that it has something to do with the environment, but they aren’t entirely sure. Even so, leading researchers are homing in on what they think might be the source of the problems. Various mechanisms and insights are coming to the fore which may help people with these conditions find solutions.
Chronic Pain Changes Brain Zones
Recent research suggests that chronic pain rewires how the brain operates. Unfortunately, studies suggest that pain rewires in the brain, leading to changes in emotions, memory and sensory inputs.
Chronic pain has this effect because of how it interacts with the central nervous system. The bad news is that it seems to create more circuits in brain regions associated with pain, at least based on fMRI images of people with pain-related conditions.
Neuroinflammation Plays A Role
Another leading idea is that neuroinflammation plays a role. Neurons and microglial activation triggers inflammatory responses that then go on to cause pain to persist, even after the initial issue subsides.
Anti-inflammatory pathways targeting this issue are being explored, but research is in the early stages. There may be a role for supplements like CBD pain gummies, but the picture still isn’t perfectly clear.
One possible path forward is to feed people anti-inflammatory compounds that help them. These could dampen pain circuits in the brain and lead to better control. Another is to avoid the foods that cause inflammation, like processed junk and luncheon meats.
The Gut-Brain Axis Matters
The gut-brain axis is also an emerging line of inquiry that is taking on a more prominent role. Researchers believe that the vagus nerve is a critical component of the system and that what happens in the gut can also influence what goes on in the brain.
The vagus nerve is unique because it provides a direct line of communication between the brain and the gut. It’s one of the reasons that people prone to nervousness and anxiety often get bowel issues after a traumatic experience.
However, the gut-brain axis may also modulate chronic pain. Researchers believe that controlling signals along the vagus nerve, perhaps by eating a healthy diet, can have profound effects on brain health. When the two systems talk to each other in a friendlier language, it can have a profound effect.
Central Sensitization To Pain Can Lead To Hypersensitivity
Related to the idea that pain changes the structure of some brain zones, researchers also think that it may sensitize the central nervous system, which is something seen in chronic migraine and fibromyalgia. For many people, this structural change can make pain seem more severe.
Psychological Factors
Lastly, research believes that psychological factors may play a role in pain perception. Mood, anxiety, and trauma could all be components of whether pain is felt and to what extent.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be useful in these instances and reduce pain over several weeks of intervention.
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