We’ve all heard someone claim they have a “high pain threshold” as if it’s a sign of strength or flexibility. But does science support the idea that some people feel less pain than others? Pain is an experience Shaped by our psychology and social context, with many variables.
In our interviews with children about their experiences the painMany associate pain with “stiffness.” It seems that social expectations shape our understanding of pain from an early age. There are many misconceptions about pain thresholds, which contribute to health-care disparities that affect millions of people.
Pain is an experience shaped by our psychology and social context, with many variables. (Source: Pexels)
What is (and isn’t) a pain threshold?
A the pain Threshold technically refers to the point at which an event—such as heat, cold, or pressure—becomes painful. This is not the same as pain tolerance, which measures how much pain someone can tolerate before needing relief.
While these two terms are often confused in everyday language, they describe different aspects of the pain experience. The distinction between them is important, especially in research settings.
How constant is the pain threshold?
The stability of the pain threshold is controversial, and probably depends on how it is tested. Some techniques produce fairly consistent results. But the pain threshold may be more of a “zone of uncertainty” than a fixed point of transition from non-painful to painful. We have argued that how variable someone’s pain threshold is may, in the future, provide valuable information that may help us understand their risk of chronic pain and the best treatment options for them.
Biological influences on pain threshold
Pain thresholds are influenced by various biological factors. For now, let’s explore genetics, hormones, and the nervous and immune systems.
Gender and gender differences
Men often have higher pain thresholds than women in experimental settings. This may be due to hormonal differences, such as the effects of testosterone. On the other hand, gender-based differences in pain sensitivity may reflect social norms that demand more stoicism from men than from women.
Redhead question
Some research has found that people with red hair may experience pain differently due to the MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) gene variant.
However, the mechanism underlying this finding is still unclear. For example, redheads may have a low pain threshold for some harmful threats, such as heat, but a high threshold for others, such as lightning. Overall, the evidence is far from settled.
The nervous system in chronic pain
Some people with chronic pain may have a low pain threshold. This may be due to central sensitization, where the nervous system appears to be on high alert for potentially harmful events.
It is not yet clear whether some people have a low pain threshold before developing chronic pain, or whether their threshold decreases afterwards. However, the presence of central sensitivity can help clinicians work out which treatments work best.
Immune system and pain threshold
The immune system can influence nerve signals and pain threshold. Inflammation in the body, such as when you have a cold or the flu, can suddenly lower your pain threshold. Many people experienced a short-term version of inflammation-induced central sensitization when they had COVID. Suddenly, the smallest thing caused a headache or body ache.
Even an acute injury like an ankle sprain triggers inflammation that lowers your pain threshold. One of the reasons ice helps ankle sprains is that it controls inflammation at the site of the injury, allowing your pain threshold to recover slightly. All of these biological effects (and more) are just the beginning of the pain threshold puzzle.
Psychological effects
Psychological factors such as worry, fear, and anxiety about pain are associated with lower pain thresholds.
On the flip side, strategies like mindfulness and relaxation can increase the pain threshold.
Social influences on pain thresholds
Cultural norms shape how we perceive and express pain. Some cultures encourage shyness, while others normalize the discomfort of openly voicing. These standards influence the way health care providers interpret and treat pain, often leading to disparities. Researchers are now zooming out to identify these types of social influences on pain.
Implications for pain recovery
understanding Pain thresholds Not just academic practice; This has practical implications for healthcare. Misjudging someone’s pain can lead to inadequate treatment or overuse of pain medication.
Research shows that women and people from minority groups are more likely to have their pain dismissed by health care providers. We need to better understand pain thresholds to enable customized pain treatments. A whole-person perspective can shake up pain treatment and usher in a more collaborative, helpful version of personalized health care. From genetics to psychology to culture, pain is as varied and complex as the people who experience it.