PSY391H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Hyperalgesia, Referred Pain, Neuropathic Pain
Document Summary
More psychology; link between pain and injury = weak and varies. Interlace 40c and 20c rods then feels burning hot when alone it feels fine. Rubber hand experiment: prosthetic hand placed in front of real hand and brain perceives pain when you hit prosthetic and stroke real hand. Complex reasoning mechanisms based on experience, context and meaning. Ex: man bit by snake and thought twig scratch ended in hospital, overreacted when scratched by normal twig. Evaluative context or meaning of pain matters red cue makes it hurt more vs. blue light cue when touched by a -20c metal probe. Sham stimulator -> head pain depends on perceived stimulation level and not the actual intensity level. Perceive less pain after receiving a reward. Conditioned inhibitors -> pain response lessened and behaviour motivated when introduced to no pain then pain again. Psychological modulation of pain: war wounded soldiers report less pain and request less narcotics compared to surgical patients because time/context.
