Personal Health

Selfless behavior relieves pain

Something to do for others without expecting a counter-performance: From previous studies we know that altruistic behavior can produce well-being, such as because the happiness hormone dopamine is released. Now, researchers in a number of completely different experiments have established that such activities can also dampen the sensation of pain.

The researchers describe four different experiments that prove your Thesis:

In the first experiment, they asked the blood donor to the pain of the needle trick. Who after a natural disaster – in this case, an earthquake – had donated, felt the puncture as less painful.

In a second Experiment, they asked the cold volunteers in the freezing, to revise a Handbook for migrant children. They noted that these volunteers felt less discomfort than those who have not worked on a manual.

Also cancer patients with pain that had taken over for other cooked and cleaning activities reported less pain than patients cared for only himself.

In the last Experiment, the researchers asked Volunteers to donate money for orphans. Who had donated, we were asked how helpful they perceived their donation. In an MRI study, the volunteers were then exposed to electric shock. Those who had donated, reacted less than those who had refused. The more a Volunteer had the feeling that his donation had helped the orphans, the less the brain reacted to the electric shock.

The researchers conclude from their experiments and the results of other studies that altruistic behavior promotes the welfare of the people, but also the pain is reduced feel.

ZOU