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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
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To: RC one

Rd later.


81 posted on 04/20/2021 11:13:23 PM PDT by NetAddicted (Just looking)
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To: RC one

You need to find another way. Painful exercise can cause deeper sleep, weight loss and heal many pain problems but not all. Depends on the kind of pain.


82 posted on 04/20/2021 11:45:56 PM PDT by familyop (Only here for the tales from the rubber room.)
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To: RC one
"I think it’s a blown out disc."

Okay. Hard exercise won't help with that, although it might have prevented it before.

83 posted on 04/20/2021 11:49:18 PM PDT by familyop (Only here for the tales from the rubber room.)
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To: CodeToad

On bad arthritis mornings I take 2 tablespoons of Scotch in a 16 oz mug of coffee and cream.

It works.I do not drink any more than that.

The old Scottish folk also used to take a wee dram in the morning .

This is very ancient folk medicine. From a long time ago.


84 posted on 04/21/2021 2:47:25 AM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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To: RC one; Fred Nerks

I think I’m past the teshting phase pershonally. It works.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Teshting, teshting, teshting!

Just a wee dram ‘i the morning in a cup of cream and coffee.

works every time.

In Journey, first published in 1775, Dr. Johnson notes the local custom:

” A man of the Hebrides … as soon as he appears in the morning, swallows a glass of whiskey. Yet they are not a drunken race, at least I never was present at much intemperance; but no man is so abstemious as to refuse the morning dram.”

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/12/in-the-wake-of-dr-johnson/354666/


85 posted on 04/21/2021 3:17:33 AM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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To: Candor7
Bavarian Breakfast


86 posted on 04/21/2021 5:09:13 AM PDT by Fred Nerks (fair dinkum!)
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To: RC one

I could have told them that without a study. Calling Captain Obvious.


87 posted on 04/21/2021 5:38:36 AM PDT by Codeflier (Covid-19 taught me: Two types of "conservatives", frightened safety seekers vs. freedom lovers)
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To: eyeamok
Yeah it works, but waking up at 4am hungover as hell with a broken ankle trying to hobble into the emergency room the next morning, sucks .

You're speaking theoretically or from personal experience?

88 posted on 04/21/2021 9:44:06 AM PDT by Thilly Thailor
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To: Thilly Thailor

Broke my Ankle at 10Am at the lake on a rope swing, drank all day and night and woke up at 4AM in severe Pain and needing to go to the Emergency Room, Surgery a few days later to screw it back together!

But I was Walking All Day and Night While Drinking


89 posted on 04/21/2021 9:55:06 AM PDT by eyeamok (founded in cynicism, wrapped in sarcasm)
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To: eyeamok

Ah, that’s it! I have a few such stories myself.


90 posted on 04/21/2021 10:00:28 AM PDT by Thilly Thailor
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To: Fred Nerks

recently , one opf my Austrian friends told me that in his tiwn there was a special kind of beer which was drunk by pregnant women. A Special brew. Amazing.


91 posted on 04/21/2021 10:01:02 AM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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To: RC one

That’s been common knowledge for at least a couple of thousand years.

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish” (Job 29:13; Job 31:19). As a restorative, a cordial, or a medicine, wine may he advantageously used; it has a place in the providential economy of God. “Use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities,” was St. Paul’s advice to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23).


92 posted on 04/21/2021 10:27:17 AM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Militia to the border! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
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To: Fred Nerks

Lets try that again, was in a rush:

Recently , one op my Austrian friends told me that in his town there was a special kind of beer which was consumed by pregnant women. A Special brew. Amazing.

Apparently is was customary in his town, and that there were other medicinal beers brewed as well by a local small town brewery.


93 posted on 04/21/2021 12:48:51 PM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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To: Fred Nerks

Its true:

https://praxistipps.focus.de/malzbier-in-der-schwangerschaft-und-stillzeit-alle-infos_119812


94 posted on 04/21/2021 2:27:38 PM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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To: Candor7

You will be pleased to know:

100 milliliters of malt drink have an average of around 40 calories. Since you have a higher daily calorie requirement during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, you can enjoy a malt beer every now and then with a clear conscience.


95 posted on 04/21/2021 8:00:21 PM PDT by Fred Nerks (fair dinkum!)
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To: Fred Nerks

Thats a good thing. I have always had a skepticism that all wine and beer beverages for women bearing child are now verbotten, according modern medicine.


96 posted on 04/22/2021 1:35:15 AM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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