The Peter Attia Drive

#345 ‒ Chronic pain: pathways, treatment, and the path to physical and psychological recovery | Sean Mackey, M.D., Ph.D.

413 snips
Apr 21, 2025
Sean Mackey, a renowned pain medicine professor at Stanford, dives deep into the complex nature of chronic pain. He discusses the evolutionary purpose of pain and how different individuals experience it uniquely. Mackey explores various treatment strategies, from traditional medications to innovative techniques like TENS, emphasizing the intertwined nature of physical and psychological factors. He also shares insights on the impact of sleep on pain sensitivity and the historical evolution of pain management, providing a comprehensive view of this multifaceted challenge.
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INSIGHT

Pain Is A Survival Motivator

  • Pain is both a sensory and emotional experience linked to actual or potential tissue damage.
  • It is the great motivator that drives survival behaviors and is essential for life.
INSIGHT

Types of Nerve Fibers in Pain

  • Two nerve fiber types transmit pain: fast A-delta fibers cause sharp pain and reflexes.
  • Slow C-fibers generate burning pain and an unpleasant emotional quality.
INSIGHT

Consciousness Is Required For Pain

  • Conscious brain is required to perceive pain; unconscious states allow nociception but no pain experience.
  • Surgery causes massive nociceptive input even without conscious pain perception.
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