Posted on 04/20/2021 5:54:50 PM PDT by RC one
You’ve heard of people “drinking away their pain,” but a new study has scientifically proven that alcohol is actually an effective painkiller.
University of Greenwich’s Trevor Thompson led the review study that looked at 18 different experiments which tested the reactions of more than 400 healthy people. Their reactions were measured when exposed to controlled pain (such as heat, cold and pressure) both without alcohol and under the influence of alcohol.
Thompson concluded that there is “robust evidence that alcohol is an effective painkiller.”
“Although the finding that alcohol results in reduced pain might seem obvious to many people, results from individual studies have not actually been that consistent,” Thompson wrote in an email.
His team systematically evaluated the different results in previous studies and were able to “reliably conclude” that alcohol is an analgesic. They were also able estimate the amount of pain relief a certain dosage of alcohol provides.
For example, they found that around two pints of beer or two medium-sized glasses of wine resulted in a 24 per cent drop in pain ratings. And the higher the blood-alcohol level, the greater the pain relief (up to a blood-alcohol level of .11).
It’s still a mystery as to why alcohol produces these painkilling effects, although Thompson has a couple of ideas.
“Some have theorised that alcohol may work indirectly by reducing anxiety, which is likely to be linked to pain,” he said. “Others have suggested that the transmission of ‘pain signals’ is inhibited by the changing of activity NMDA receptors in the spinal cord.”
NMDA receptors are a protein found in nerve cells.
Researchers think that these results may shed some light on alcohol dependency for those with chronic pain.
He added that because alcohol does provide significant pain relief, it offers a “reward,” which may encourage pain sufferers to turn to the bottle since it is generally cheaper and more accessible than prescription medications.
He hopes that in the future, drug producers may be able to isolate specific compounds found in alcohol that provide the analgesic effects, without the harmful side effects of alcohol.
“The amount of alcohol consumption needed to provide any sort of sustained, long-term pain relief could lead to a range of serious health problems, and even increase the likelihood of developing a longterm persistent pain condition,” he said. “We hope than an increased awareness of this might lead to greater promotion of alternative, less harmful pain management strategies for those using alcohol as self-medication for pain.”
I'm eating Morin and Tylenol while I'm driving down the road. Of course I get stuck in traffic. Of course.
I get home and I'm about delirious from the pain.
I immediately pour about 3 shots of 100 proof vodka with a splash of vermouth into a glass with some ice cubes and down it. Within 5 minutes, my pain level is decreased from an untolerable 9 out of 10 to a semi-tolerable 5 out of 10. I do it again and I'm down to 3 out of 10. Working on third martini now my pain is barely noticeable.
This isn't meant to be humorous. The analgesic effects of alcohol are real and they are potent.
I sympathize and empathize with anyone suffering from chronic pain. I post this only to relate my own experience.
Alcohol appears to be a highly effective painkiller.
I don't want to get started on narcotics and I don't like having to drink to kill pain but it does seem to work quite well.
I’ll drink to that.
I wish there was another way but there isn’t. Not for me. ETOH works. No doubt about it.
“I’ll drink to that.”
Buy that man a drink!
Although the finding that alcohol results in reduced pain might seem obvious to many people.....
D@mN, Who could have seen that coming ?!
Study finds ‘robust evidence’ that alcohol is a very effective painkiller
Anybody who writes or listens to Country Western songs knows that!
What’s the source of your pain? Maybe dilating your blood vessels helps.
Ditto, Everclear is a great pain reliever.
To: jennysungglobal
No kidding?
Really?
I never drank for pain control. I drank to have fun. I didn’t realize. Booze kills pain better than pills.
This needed a study?
Proverbs 31:6
King James Version
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
I think it’s a blown out disc. The chiropractor got one back in and that was like a miracle but there’s another one still out and it’s freaking awful. I screamed like I was giving birth in his office. I know the pain is there right now but I don’t feel it. the ETOH has suppressed it. Don’t tell the FDA or they’ll make alcohol prescription only.
I’m actually quite stunned, long figured alcohol had been studied clinically, but apparently not, or least the original author didn’t find such studies... That’s a pretty interesting study.
And yes, fully comprehend where you’re at, and sorry to hear about it. Though I’d try to work towards resolving that chronic pain through restorative treatments like PT or other therapies and surgical options if available. I know that’s not always an option, but man, I’m more than willing to combine the therapies of a TENS unit and three fingers of scotch.
Hey man, I didn’t realize just how effective it was. I feel like I should be able to drink at work after this revelation.
yep, you get it. I need to see the chiropractor for sure before I end up too reliant on ETOH. I like a nice glass of brandy but I’ve never had to drink for pain control. It’s just kind amazing how effective it really is. My pain has gone from unbearable to barely noticeable. What I realizse is that we need a third OTC analgesic. we have tylenol. We have motrin. There’s CBD oil now and I’ve tried it (quite a bit actually) and it there’s definitely something to it but it doesn’t compare to a stiff martini. The liver issues are, of course, the concern.
They needed a “study” for that? Haven’t they seen any of those movies where the doctor is about to cut off a limb, or remove a bullet, and they make the patient drink a crapload of booze to numb the pain? That would have been a lot cheaper than money wasted on a “study.”
I agree with your assessment. I am sorry for your pain. I once suffered with the “devil’s pitchfork” as I called it but my pain has subsided.
Go for a one hour walk about 9,starting about noon (I am retired) I have a shot of vodka with 2 parts tonic and 2 parts tea, have two of those, eat lunch and do it again about 5 - 4 shots of vodka per day, feel very little pain and sleep well.
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