{"id":646296,"date":"2024-12-08T23:10:18","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T20:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/"},"modified":"2024-12-08T23:10:18","modified_gmt":"2024-12-08T20:10:18","slug":"some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"#Some people say they have a high pain threshold. Here&#8217;s why"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a414968e45d3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a414968e45d3\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#What_is_and_isnt_a_pain_threshold\" >What is (and isn&#8217;t) a pain threshold?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#How_stable_is_a_pain_threshold\" >How stable is a pain threshold?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#Biological_influences_on_pain_thresholds\" >Biological influences on pain thresholds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#Sex_and_gender_differences\" >Sex and gender differences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#The_redhead_question\" >The redhead question<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#The_nervous_system_in_chronic_pain\" >The nervous system in chronic pain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#The_immune_system_and_pain_thresholds\" >The immune system and pain thresholds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#Psychological_influences\" >Psychological influences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#Social_influences_on_pain_thresholds\" >Social influences on pain thresholds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why\/#Implications_for_pain_recovery\" >Implications for pain recovery<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2024\/pain-tolerance.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2024\/pain-tolerance.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2024\/pain-tolerance.jpg\" alt=\"pain tolerance\" title=\"Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>We&#8217;ve all heard someone claim they have a &#8220;high pain threshold&#8221; as if it&#8217;s a mark of strength or resilience. But does <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science<\/a> support the idea that some people genuinely feel less pain than others?<\/p>\n<p>Pain is an experience shaped by our psychology and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a> context, with many variables.<\/p>\n<p>In our interviews with children about their experiences of pain, many <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-033199\" target=\"_blank\">link pain<\/a> to &#8220;toughness.&#8221; It seems that social expectations shape our understanding of pain from a young age.<\/p>\n<p>There are also plenty of misconceptions about pain thresholds, which contribute to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.bja.2024.09.026\" target=\"_blank\">health-care inequities<\/a> that affect millions of people.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_and_isnt_a_pain_threshold\"><\/span>What is (and isn&#8217;t) a pain threshold?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A pain threshold technically refers to the point at which an event\u2014such as heat, cold, or pressure\u2014becomes painful.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not the same as pain tolerance, which measures how much pain someone can endure before they require relief.<\/p>\n<p>While these two terms often become muddled in everyday language, they describe different facets of the pain experience. Distinguishing between them is <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/01.j.pain.0000460343.46847.58\" target=\"_blank\">crucial<\/a>, especially in research settings.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_stable_is_a_pain_threshold\"><\/span>How stable is a pain threshold?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The stability of a pain threshold is controversial, and probably depends on how it is tested. Certain techniques produce <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pain.2010.05.002\" target=\"_blank\">fairly consistent results<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But the pain threshold may be more of a &#8220;<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1101\/521302\" target=\"_blank\">zone of uncertainty<\/a>&#8221; than a fixed point of transition from non-painful to painful.<\/p>\n<p>We have argued that how variable someone&#8217;s pain threshold is may, in future, provide valuable information that could help us <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.bja.2020.11.005\" target=\"_blank\">understand their risk<\/a> of chronic pain and the best treatment options for them.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Biological_influences_on_pain_thresholds\"><\/span>Biological influences on pain thresholds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pain thresholds are influenced by a variety of biological factors. For now, let&#8217;s explore genetics, hormones, and the nervous and immune systems.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sex_and_gender_differences\"><\/span>Sex and gender differences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Men often have <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000002738\" target=\"_blank\">higher pain thresholds than women<\/a> in experimental settings. This may be due to hormonal differences, such as the influence of testosterone.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, gender-based differences in pain sensitivity could reflect <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/JPR.S248424\" target=\"_blank\">social norms<\/a> that demand more stoicism from men than from women.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_redhead_question\"><\/span>The redhead question<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some research has found that people with red hair may experience pain differently, due to the MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s44254-023-00017-3\" target=\"_blank\">gene variant<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, the mechanisms underpinning this finding are <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000001780\" target=\"_blank\">not yet clear<\/a>. For example, redheads may have a lower pain threshold for certain noxious threats, such as heat, but <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.abd1310\" target=\"_blank\">a higher threshold for others, like electricity<\/a>. Overall, the evidence is <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jpm14060583\" target=\"_blank\">far from settled<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_nervous_system_in_chronic_pain\"><\/span>The nervous system in chronic pain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some people with long-lasting pain can have <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/PHM.0000000000001603\" target=\"_blank\">lower pain thresholds<\/a>. This may be due to central sensitization, where the nervous system <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ears to be on higher alert for potentially harmful events.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not yet clear whether some people have lower pain thresholds before they develop chronic pain, or whether their thresholds drop later. However, the presence of central sensitization may help clinicians to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S2665-9913(21)00032-1\" target=\"_blank\">work out what treatments<\/a> will work best.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_immune_system_and_pain_thresholds\"><\/span>The immune system and pain thresholds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The immune system can influence nerve signals and pain thresholds. Inflammation in the body, such as when you have a cold or the flu, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nri3621\" target=\"_blank\">can drop your pain threshold<\/a> quite suddenly.<\/p>\n<p>Many people experienced a short-lived version of inflammation-induced central sensitization when they had <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.bbi.2020.05.025\" target=\"_blank\">COVID<\/a>. Suddenly, the smallest things produced a headache or body pain.<\/p>\n<p>An acute injury such as an ankle sprain also triggers inflammation that drops your pain threshold. One of the reasons why ice helps an ankle sprain is it controls inflammation at the injury site, allowing your threshold for pain to recover a little.<\/p>\n<p>All of these biological influences (and more) are just the beginning of the pain threshold puzzle.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychological_influences\"><\/span>Psychological influences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Psychological factors such as anxiety, fear and worrying about pain are <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/sjpain-2020-0015\" target=\"_blank\">associated with lower pain thresholds<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On the flip side, strategies like <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/jicm.2023.0328\" target=\"_blank\">mindfulness and relaxation<\/a> may raise pain thresholds.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social_influences_on_pain_thresholds\"><\/span>Social influences on pain thresholds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cultural norms shape how we perceive and express pain. Some cultures encourage stoicism, while others normalize openly vocalizing discomfort.<\/p>\n<p>These norms influence how health-care providers interpret and treat pain, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jht.2023.06.008\" target=\"_blank\">often leading to disparities<\/a>. Researchers are now zooming out to identify these sorts of social influences on pain.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Implications_for_pain_recovery\"><\/span>Implications for pain recovery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Understanding pain thresholds is not just an academic exercise; it has practical implications for health care. Misjudging someone&#8217;s pain can lead to inadequate treatment or the overuse of pain medications.<\/p>\n<p>Research has shown women and people from minoritized groups are more likely to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40167-016-0037-4\" target=\"_blank\">have their pain dismissed<\/a> by health-care providers.<\/p>\n<p>We need to better understand pain thresholds to enable tailored pain treatments. A whole-person perspective could shake up pain treatments and usher in a more supportive, helpful version of personalized health care.<\/p>\n<p>From genetics to psychology to culture, pain is as diverse and complex as the people who experience it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"d-inline-block text-medium my-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvided by<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Conversation<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"icon_open\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<use href=\"https:\/\/medx.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/svg\/sprite.svg#icon_open\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"article-main__note mt-4\">\n                                                This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" target=\"_blank\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/some-people-say-they-have-a-high-pain-threshold-heres-why-244633\" target=\"_blank\">original article<\/a>.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/244633\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\"\/>\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n                                                 <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                 Some people say they have a high pain threshold. Here&#8217;s why (2024, December 8)<br \/>\n                                                 retrieved 8 December 2024<br \/>\n                                                 from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2024-12-people-high-pain-threshold.html\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                            This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n                                            part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n                                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2024-12-people-high-pain-threshold.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels We&#8217;ve all heard someone claim they have a &#8220;high pain threshold&#8221; as if it&#8217;s a mark of strength or resilience. But does science support the idea that some people genuinely feel less pain than others? Pain is an experience shaped by our psychology and social context, with many variables. In&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":646297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2024\/pain-tolerance.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-646296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=646296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/646297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=646296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=646296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=646296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}