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Scientists Discover "Dimmer Switch" of Pain Threshold

Scientists have recently discovered that different people have different pain thresholds.
In their studies, they found that even identical twins do not have the same tolerance for pain. This is very exciting news, since this discovery opens the future possibility of "turning the dimmer switch up or down" to modulate an individual's tolerance to painful stimuli. It may even suggest a whole new avenue of approach in pain management, through the development of new types of medications or new recommendations for lifestyle changes!




Scientists Discover Pain Threshold “Dimmer Switch” – The Key to Controlling Sensitivity

February 9, 2014 By


Researchers pinpoint the body’s pain “thermostat” which could lead to the development of revolutionary pain relief techniques
Scientists have discovered what’s said to be a genetic “dimmer switch” that’s responsible for controlling pain sensitivity.
According to researchers from the King’s College, London, even twins that that share 100% identical genes can have different thresholds of pain, which can apparently be tweaked or turned down using medication, or by making lifestyle changes.
The paper now published in Nature Communications suggests that the discovery could lead to extraordinary breakthroughs in pain management, ranging from new painkillers to the encouragement of pain-relieving lifestyle choices.         READ MORE>>>

Sources:  Highlight Press
                Wikimedia Commons
      



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