Research shows brain's ability to overcome pain and thirst

[Raven]

Researchers at Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute have discovered how the brain prioritises pain and thirst in order to survive - a mechanism that helps elite athletes to 'push through the pain barrier'. The Florey's Dr Michael Farrell and colleagues discovered that pain sensitivity is enhanced when people are thirsty.

The scientists also found that a part of the brain is uniquely activated when pain and thirst are experienced together, suggesting these regions may act as an integrative centre that has a special role in modifying pain senses.

Dr Farrell used PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans to examine changes in brain activity. The 10 individuals participating in the study were given saline injections to stimulate mild thirst and thumb pressure to induce mild pain. Although the level of thumb pressure remained constant throughout the tests, as people became thirstier, they felt more pain.

http://www.physorg.com/news10388.html

Raven

[Lindox]

It's interesting how they use the runners as examples of pain. Yes. They most definately experience pain..but for how long? How severe?

If the runner is doing a 10k and he hits the pain barrier at 9k..alright he knows the finish is in sight..he knows this is temporary. If he were running
a neverending race what then?

Or stuck permanently in the pain wall/barrier..what then?

I think anyone that has experienced pain which is everybody at one time or another realizes that many types of pain are controllable through mind control. Maybe not controlled but over powered perse.

But neverending pain wears you out completely.
And takes away you mental being right along with your physical being. And you have no idea when or even if it will ever stop..or become worse.

Then when you do take drugs to alleviate some of it..and you for a short time feel almost human again..the dose is done..and your body starts to scream again and again and your mind becomes furious with your body and itself for being fooled even for such a short time. Which then weakens you minds ability to help control the pain that is re-awakening and thus it feels even more severe then before the dosing. I haven't found drinking water to be all that
helpful. And mild pain ain't shit.

[Jeepin]

http://www.badwater.com/

The ultimate test in pain and thirst management.

135 mile race through death valley and 14,000 feet in elevation change.

[Lindox]

http://www.badwater.com/

The ultimate test in pain and thirst management.

135 mile race through death valley and 14,000 feet in elevation change.

Yes. This would be a very good test.
Driving through Death Valley makes one wish they were dead. I can't imagine what it must have been like in a covered wagon. Thus the name.