Q
Why do we have different pain thresholds?
A
Expert Answer
Pain thresholds vary due to: genetics (mu-opioid receptor variants, COMT gene), sex hormones (testosterone may increase threshold; estrogen decreases it), psychological factors (attention, anxiety, catastrophizing), previous pain experiences, cultural conditioning, and current emotional state.
Key Insight
Pain thresholds vary due to: genetics (mu-opioid receptor variants, COMT gene), sex hormones (testosterone may increase threshold; estrogen decreases it), psychological factors (attention, anxiety, catastrophizing), previous pain experiences, cultural conditioning, and current emotional state.
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