Science Friday Untangling The Mind-Body Connection In Chronic Pain
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Apr 29, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Shoshana Buxbaum, a Science Friday producer with a decade-long journey through chronic pain, discusses the intricate ties between mental health and chronic pain. She highlights the stigma surrounding neuro-psychological causes and how pain can affect emotional well-being. The talk introduces innovative treatments like pain reprocessing therapy, showcasing its promise in alleviating chronic pain. Buxbaum also shares her personal experiences, emphasizing the need for a holistic view in understanding and treating chronic pain.
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Personal Chronic Pain Journey
- Shoshana Buxbaum shared her personal struggle with chronic pain and the dismissive "all in your head" response she encountered.
- Eventually, a specialist explained the mind-body connection, which helped her and sparked her journalistic interest.
Bidirectional Pain and Mental Health
- There is a bidirectional relationship between chronic pain and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
- Both can predispose each other or share an underlying vulnerability.
Brain's Role in Acute vs Chronic Pain
- Acute pain usually reflects accurate brain detection of tissue damage.
- Chronic pain occurs when the brain continues to produce pain signals even after injury healing.