Kevin | 
06 27th, 2005| 
Ever feel like government is not taking notice of the pain problem. Think about the cultural realities.
Jun
20
One of Dr. Crick’s first publications on the role of the insula in pain was here at painonline. His radical ideas are not radical any longer. He appears to have hit the nail on the head. What is astonishing is that when Crick was the “World’s Best” at DNA molecular biology (Nobel Prize) he left the field for brain science. When he wrote for us, he was in his late eighties, had terminal cancer, and was himself in PAIN, no doubt a factor in his condescension to contribute to our group. it is sad to lose our champions. Bonica, Wall, and Crick seem irreplacable, but they have blazed the way to the lair of pain. Hearing the pain hunters in the distance, it must surely sit skulking, damaged and sensing its final fate.
Jun
20
Alan Hess’s article, periodically updated, has been the favorite at this site since it first appeared. Here is a recent revision. We consider these pieces at the highest level of pain authorship. Alan’s ordeal has been reviewed now by people from dozens of countries. He is a help to many who seek understanding and an identity.
Jun
20
A comment received from a prior article made us feel we had not given Frankl his due. Here we “rethink” Frankl and his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning”; and, we attempt to rethink ourselves and our search for SOMETHING, as well.
Jun
18
Nutty propositions of therapy for Central Pain point to many hints, suppositions, and ideas about how being nice will make the bad owies go away, but they are too often just exprsssions of doubt over the severity of the pain. If CP were understood for what it is, a serious flood of pain chemicals in the neurons, maybe people would stop thinking that condescending theories of causation, condemnation of helpful spouses, and the like are anything but insulting and ridiculous. And just for the record, this author would not be wasting valuable time writing at this website, unless central pain were really serious. There are many more things which would be preferable to do, but the plight of the CP subject is a matter that must be dealt with.
Jun
15
Hard as we try to keep things scientific, theology (in our cultural context) keeps rearing its head in pain ideas. Sometimes in the survey has come the remark that one wants to “disappear”. What is this feeling about? It isn’t about dying, it is about finding the self, OR ELSE. It about not being here, but being gone, and feeling disappearance would avoid the ideas about life and death. it is about accelerating the clock while in pain, because life is very confusing and difficult. It is about the need for research. It is about escaping the accusing mouths, which seem to persist in ignorant attitudes and prejudices toward pain.
Jun
11
Going to horror movies is fun. Watching the space aliens threaten the earth in Men in Black is funny. That is how terror should be treated. As something that would NEVER happen, a Disneyland ride, where we scream and shout, finish the ride, and then go on it again. It is bad taste to play in pain, but even more evil to speak of it as unendurable, so socially unacceptable is the interchange. Real pain is a dark secret, and expected to be kept that way. It is perfectly socially acceptable to remind others of this requirement to keep it to themselves, even if their pain is real, especially if it is real. Speaking of pain causes discomfort, the basis for all rudensss. Crying is alright, so cry but do not speak.
Jun
6
Copernicus rocked the world by declaring that the earth rotated around the sun. Despite the veneer of magnificance of earthly man made organizations which commanded respect, the sun could care less. We are learning that the Wizards of Oz have been spreading falsehoods about pain, as well. Time to go back to Kansas, where people are simple enough to believe pain is pain.
Jun
4
Brain chemistry is so compelling that it is hard to talk of a difference between real and perceived things. The notion that pain is a personal failure continues to fall. However, there is a group of holdouts among the behaviorists and nowhere is this more doctrinaire than in pain. A little more biology in the psychology please.