The Next Big Idea Daily Pain Isn't Just Physical. Here's the Neuroscience That Proves It.
Apr 16, 2026
Rachel Zoffness, a Stanford pain scientist and clinical psychologist, explains how the brain constructs pain and why emotions shape what we feel. Abdul-Ghaaliq Lalkhen, a physician and pain educator, explores the anatomy of suffering, chronic pain without tissue damage, and pitfalls of quick fixes like opioids. They discuss biopsychosocial approaches, phantom limb pain, and nonpharmacologic ways to reduce chronic pain.
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Pain Is Constructed By The Brain
- Pain Is Constructed By The Brain and draws on body signals, history, emotions, and environment to decide whether and how much pain to make.
- Rachel Zoffness uses phantom limb pain to show pain can exist without a body part, proving brain construction mechanisms.
Pain Is Also An Emotional Experience
- Pain And Emotion Share Brain Circuits so emotional states directly amplify or dampen pain.
- Rachel Zoffness notes stress, depression, and anxiety increase pain because emotion-making brain regions also make pain.
Use Your Body's Built In Pharmacy
- Control The Pain Dial by using biopsychosocial treatments beyond pills, like movement, social connection, and activities that trigger serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.
- Rachel Zoffness lists exercise, laughter, friends, and chocolate as ways to activate the body's pharmacy.
