Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Study finds ‘robust evidence’ that alcohol is a very effective painkiller
Global News ^ | May 6, 2017 | jennysungglobal

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.”


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: alcohol; booze; chronicpain; pain
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 next last
To: rbg81

It screams of a ‘study’ that somebody was lucky enough to have funded (I’m mean seriously, THIS got funded?) - they HAD to have some ‘new’ angle to the results...something about ‘consistent’. OK lol.

...in reality...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...talk about preaching to the choir.


41 posted on 04/20/2021 6:32:57 PM PDT by fuzzylogic (welfare state = sharing of poor moral choices among everybody)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: RC one

25-50 mg of CBD no help? To me it is. But the “starter” 10 mg dose they often advocate would be insufficient. FWIW, I purchase 2 ounce bottles of “extra-strength” coconut oil formulation for about $40. One dose for me is around 2/3 of a dropper. 1500 mg total CBD in the bottle.


42 posted on 04/20/2021 6:34:42 PM PDT by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: RC one

Alcohol is actually a pretty inferior painkiller since its mode of action is general anesthetic sedation rather than interrupting pain centers the way opioids do, and at doses to be effective is quite toxic.


43 posted on 04/20/2021 6:35:12 PM PDT by SpaceBar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RC one


Feeling No Pain

44 posted on 04/20/2021 6:37:03 PM PDT by Songcraft
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SpaceBar

In other words it’s a cute article, but absolute medical nonsense.


45 posted on 04/20/2021 6:37:12 PM PDT by SpaceBar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: mass55th
My injury actually happened in the line of duty (chasing an escaping psych patient) and my employers insurance company is trying to limit their liability. A neurosurgeon ordered steroid epidural injections but the insurance company won't allow it so off to court we go. In the meantime, I think they're hoping hoping I just off myself. But thanks to alcohol, that ain't gonna happen so I will see them in court and they're gonna own this.
46 posted on 04/20/2021 6:37:39 PM PDT by RC one (When a bunch of commies start telling you that you don't need an AR15, you really need an AR15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: kaehurowing

Great minds think alike.


47 posted on 04/20/2021 6:39:31 PM PDT by rdl6989 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: SpaceBar

I disagree. I described my pain while driving home tonight. It was excruciating. I can barely feel it now after three small-medium sized martinis. It’s highly effective and, if you are in agony and you can’t get narcotic analgesics, it’s a darn fine alternative. It definitely works.


48 posted on 04/20/2021 6:41:05 PM PDT by RC one (When a bunch of commies start telling you that you don't need an AR15, you really need an AR15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: RC one

Without question. Aches and pains can be relieved with Scotch.


49 posted on 04/20/2021 6:41:24 PM PDT by CodeToad (Arm up! They Have!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RC one

Doubtful. Wish I’d bought a few in the ‘80s.


50 posted on 04/20/2021 6:43:55 PM PDT by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: steve86

Where are you ordering from? I’m using green roads 50mg/ml at about $100/30ml and I would love to find a source for something stronger/cheaper. 50mg/ml definitely does something but I see it as more of an adjunctive for the Tylenol, Motrin and and alcohol. I’m wondering if 400-800 mg/ml is a more therapeutic dose.


51 posted on 04/20/2021 6:44:21 PM PDT by RC one (When a bunch of commies start telling you that you don't need an AR15, you really need an AR15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: RC one
"My injury actually happened in the line of duty (chasing an escaping psych patient) and my employers insurance company is trying to limit their liability."

I can relate to that situation. Before I became a Correctional Officer for NY State in 1980, I worked as a Safety Officer at a NY State psych center for about six months. We were regularly called to the units when the staff couldn't restrain a patient who was acting-out. We'd also have to respond to the area hospital to transport drunks who were medically admitted to the alcohol unit overnight. That was always fun. I took the job with Corrections because I figured if I was going to have to restrain people, with the possibility of getting hurt, I might as well take the higher-paying job.

52 posted on 04/20/2021 6:48:15 PM PDT by mass55th ("Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." ~~ John Wayne )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: RC one

I have had problems over the years with a herniated lumbar disc causing back spasms. Alcohol was more effective than OTC pain medications, by far, and seemed to work better as a muscle relaxer than what the doctor provided (methcarbamol, IIRC). You want to be very careful about mixing alcohol with medications, though, even OTC stuff.


53 posted on 04/20/2021 6:48:33 PM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: RC one
I'm old, retired and drink beer every night to relax, it helps me sleep too.

Interesting study my VA doc told me about CBD, as a lot of Vets use it to control chronic pain.

Well it seems CBD oil has an ill effect on the liver as much as drinking hard alcohol does.

54 posted on 04/20/2021 6:49:43 PM PDT by PROCON (Our rights do not come from government, therefore they cannot take them away.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: RC one

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer


55 posted on 04/20/2021 6:50:14 PM PDT by Starcitizen (So Indian H1B crybaby trash runs Free Republic moderation??? Seems so. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: RC one

Swansonvitamins.com just had my 2 oz bottles on closeout, mint flavor, for $22, bought 4. Far cheaper than other suppliers. Just checked — Now it is $31.49 and free ship for probably two or more.


56 posted on 04/20/2021 6:54:37 PM PDT by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: RC one

Don’t drink and take Tylenol at the same time, serious liver damage can result.


57 posted on 04/20/2021 6:55:15 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HartleyMBaldwin

yeah, I wouldn’t mix alcohol and narcotics and/or benzodiazepines...well maybe a shot or two to potentiate an Ultram but, me personally, not with anything stronger and I’ve never had anything stronger than an Ultram which, I found to be a very effective pain medication actually... especially with a shot or two of 80 proof. No doctor would ever recommend that and neither am I but in all honesty the alcohol definitely made it more effective. I’d say it turned 1 tablet into almost 2 tablets.


58 posted on 04/20/2021 6:56:21 PM PDT by RC one (When a bunch of commies start telling you that you don't need an AR15, you really need an AR15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: RC one
The only reason there is confusion is that there is a moralist crusade on all sorts of drugs and medicines and they are willing to lie to obfuscate the evidence.

people over 50 facing major surgery's should be taking human growth hormone (HGH) to speed healing post surgery but it isn't commonly done because sports purists will not have it. Here is the source:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/By_the_way_doctor_HGH_after_surgery

59 posted on 04/20/2021 6:56:30 PM PDT by wildcard_redneck ( COVID lockdowns are the Establishment's attack on the middle class and our Republic )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PROCON

I would have to take 10X the amount I do to get the mice equivalent that produced the liver enlargement. And 30X to get toxicity. And humans might or might not manifest the same vulnerability. Don’t believe everything you hear in a Dr. office.


60 posted on 04/20/2021 7:06:01 PM PDT by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson