I heard this 6 minute piece about how early adverse childhood experiences can wire our brain in such a way to make it more readily perceive physical pain in the body. It discusses a new type of therapy that attempts to re-wire the brain as a way to treat pain. This is a perfect example of plasticity in the brain, and of a disorder called somatic symptom disorders, which refer to real physical pain that is caused by psychological dysfunction. The mind and the rest of the body are interwoven. Physical pain can cause psychological pain and vice versa.

Take 6 minutes to listen to this story and share your thoughts.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/06/10/727682322/can-you-reshape-your-brains-response-to-pain