Recent comments in /f/askscience
Vergilx217 t1_jeg92nw wrote
Reply to comment by barbzilla1 in What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
...this isn't very correct
Opioids are certainly considered very potent analgesics because of their interactions with the μ, κ, and δ receptors. These generally work through inducing secondary messengers like cAMP to block calcium channels and activate potassium channels, which usually makes it much more difficult for pain sensing neurons to transmit signals. The underlying pathology of addiction is related to dopamine release in the addiction centers like the VTA, but that's certainly different from how pain is actually blocked.
Tylenol is also not a particularly strong analgesic by any stretch, but it works by inhibiting inflammatory pathways. It's often given in conjunction with opioids because it can reduce swelling and discomfort that isn't strictly pain.
[deleted] t1_jeg8u0w wrote
[deleted] t1_jeg7wsp wrote
Apprehensive_Fuel873 t1_jeg74tn wrote
Reply to comment by ilovemybrownies in What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
Well we already know of things that "heighten" pain in more mundane contexts like putting salt or antiseptic cream on a wound, but I don't know if the process is related/similar.
valleyofdawn t1_jeg6po1 wrote
Reply to What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
Acting at the local level there are several naturally-produced molecules the potentiate pain. These include prostaglandin, histamine, and leukotriens. With regard to pain thay generally work by lowering the threshold of pain receptors.
barbzilla1 t1_jeg5ch0 wrote
Reply to comment by ilovemybrownies in What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
That's primarily because opiates themselves have very weak analgesic properties. This is why most prescription opiates come with acetaminophen or APAP, as it is one of the most effective analgesics. What the opiates do however, is dump a ton of dopamine on your neurotransmitters causing you to care less about the pain that you were already in. For some reason after perceiving less pain you'll actually start to feel less pain too, and I don't just mean on the short term there is an actual correlation between accepting the pain and lessening the pain
[deleted] t1_jeg4uq6 wrote
TheMightyAndy t1_jeg427b wrote
Reply to What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
The closest answer would be cytokines. These are proteins secreted by the immune system and basically cause inflammation. Some of these cytokines lower the threshold that pain neurons will start to fire at. This is why touching a part of the body that has been hurt is suddenly painful, where applying the same amount of pressure when the body is healthy would not produce the same response.
There's really not a a lot of indications to make these cytokines into drugs, but one, TNF alpha, has been made into a drug to help ramp up the immune system to fight cancer and has "pain" as a side effect. Most non opiate analgesic's block cytokines in one way or another which is how we get pain relief.
[deleted] t1_jeg2sx2 wrote
[deleted] t1_jeg2rgr wrote
redbeards t1_jeg2pi3 wrote
Reply to What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
Seratonin is a component of many animal venoms and definitely causes pain. The pain seems to be caused by smooth muscle contraction and not purely a pain enhancement.
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68273/serotonin-known-joy-chemical-its-also-found-animal-venom
[deleted] t1_jeg2lbm wrote
wallabee_kingpin_ t1_jeg2627 wrote
Reply to What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
Capsaicin (the spicy thing in most hot peppers) causes pain and is used for that purpose in research.
Interestingly, it can also be used to reduce pain.
International_Bet_91 t1_jegcumi wrote
Reply to comment by barbzilla1 in What is known about pain enhancement? For instance, are there drugs that are the opposite of analgesics? If so, what are they and how do they work with neurons/neurotransmitters? by DollyPartWithOn
This is wrong.
Acetaminophen is a level 1 (weak) analgesic. Opioids are level 2 or the 3 depending on the drug. Level 3 is the highest level.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554435/