Does pain killer pills just numb your body or does it actually stop the pain?!
Question:
Does pain killer pills just numb your body or does it actually stop the pain?
Answers:
opioid based medication (morphine, oxycodone etc) attach to the opioid receptors in the brain stem an reduce the amount of pain signals that reach the brain.
NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen etc inhibit prostaglandin production, prostaglandins play a roll in inflammation and also stimulate nerves to be sensitised to pain.
no pain killer gets rid of pain rather affects the way the brain perceives it.
rubbing someones hand while they are in pain can reduce pain, as the brain is 'more interested' in new signals as opposed to repeating signals. thus you touching the person will reduce the amount of pain perceived. also this is why lying still reduces pain.
hope this answers your question