Chronic Pain

Chronic pain lasting >3 months affects 20% of adults globally. It can stem from neuropathy, autoimmune inflammation, central sensitization, or cancer. Understanding pain mechanisms guides targeted treatment.

Body System: Nervous System

Related Diseases

• Autoimmune Diseases — Autoimmune inflammation drives chronic pain in RA, lupus, MS, and inflammatory neuropathies.
• Stage IV Cancer — Cancer pain from tumor invasion, nerve compression, or treatment-induced neuropathy.

Related Compounds

• Curcumin
• BPC-157

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes chronic pain to persist?

Central sensitization amplifies pain signals through neuroplastic changes in the spinal cord and brain. Glial cell activation, neuroinflammation, and altered pain processing circuits maintain pain even after tissue healing. This explains why chronic pain becomes a disease in itself.

What non-pharmaceutical approaches help chronic pain?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) rewires pain processing circuits. Exercise releases endorphins and reduces central sensitization. Mindfulness meditation reduces pain catastrophizing. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) modulates glial activation. These approaches target the neurological basis of chronic pain.