How do we feel pain?
1 PHYSICAL PAIN INPUT
When we experience something like stepping on a nail, pain signals travel from the injury site through nerves in the leg and spinal cord to the brain.
2 OTHER INFLUENCES
Our brains also factor in things like past experiences, emotions, and expectations related to pain, which can make the sensation feel more or less intense. Genetics, tissue health, and brain chemistry also affect how pain signals are processed.
3 THE BRAIN’S RELAY STATION
The thalamus acts as a hub, processing all of the pain signals and influencing the sensory and emotional components of the pain experience.
4 WHERE PAIN IS FELT
Our overall perception of pain is felt primarily in the cortex. This is what we experience as pain.
How do we feel pain?
UCSF
Created on June 4, 2025
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Transcript
How do we feel pain?
1 PHYSICAL PAIN INPUT
When we experience something like stepping on a nail, pain signals travel from the injury site through nerves in the leg and spinal cord to the brain.
2 OTHER INFLUENCES
Our brains also factor in things like past experiences, emotions, and expectations related to pain, which can make the sensation feel more or less intense. Genetics, tissue health, and brain chemistry also affect how pain signals are processed.
3 THE BRAIN’S RELAY STATION
The thalamus acts as a hub, processing all of the pain signals and influencing the sensory and emotional components of the pain experience.
4 WHERE PAIN IS FELT
Our overall perception of pain is felt primarily in the cortex. This is what we experience as pain.