It became known how memories reduce the intensity of pain

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Chinese scientists found out how good memories affect the physical state.

Medics have long known that memories of positive moments from the past can be used as a method of alleviating not only the psychological state, but also the physical one. However, until recently, scientists were unable to understand the mechanism of dulling physical discomfort.

Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted an experiment during which they managed to explain this process.

During their experiment, they organized observations by the brain activity of volunteers who were shown objects and images from their childhood. In parallel with this process, thermosensory devices were attached to the participants, heating their hoja in the area of ​​the forearm to a painful state.

As it turned out, nostalgic feelings increased the activity of the hypothalamus – the part of the brain responsible for regulating consciousness – which contributed reduction of a moderate level of pain. At the same time, the authors of the work note that good memories could not cope with more intense painful sensations.