>We know that pain is not static and that it can be modulated by several factors. Early research showed that the central amygdala, long known for its role in processing fear, can dial up pain signals.
Interesting. A couple of days ago I was washing dishes and the water was too hot, so I almost burnt my hand--or so I thought--by putting it directly under the faucet by accident. Nonetheless, I started playing with it for a while: how long could I keep it there? I realized that if I put my hand under it, whenever I gave in to fear, the pain got unbearable, as if a switch had been turned on.
I think that's why expert meditators can handle pain better. Also, meditation and yoga reduce the right amygdala's volume [0], which processes fear and negative emotions.
Interesting. A couple of days ago I was washing dishes and the water was too hot, so I almost burnt my hand--or so I thought--by putting it directly under the faucet by accident. Nonetheless, I started playing with it for a while: how long could I keep it there? I realized that if I put my hand under it, whenever I gave in to fear, the pain got unbearable, as if a switch had been turned on.
I think that's why expert meditators can handle pain better. Also, meditation and yoga reduce the right amygdala's volume [0], which processes fear and negative emotions.
[0] https://www.psypost.org/2019/08/meditation-and-yoga-practice....