Why Broken Hearts Hurt — and What Heals Them | Yoram Yovell | TED

TL;DR

Mental pain is a natural response to loss and separation and is essential for our ability to love, while endorphins, our brain's feel-good molecules, help alleviate both physical and mental pain. Researchers have identified two drugs that may be effective in treating pain without the dangerous side effects of narcotics.

Transcript

I'm Yoram Youvel. I'm a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. And when I was 14 years old, my father died. I was sitting in class when my mother and my grandfather knocked on the door and asked me out to the corridor. "Your father's very sick," my mother said. "Your father is dead." And then I felt it. A crushing pa... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🎨 Mental pain is an essential part of the human experience and serves as an alarm system to prevent further harm.
• 👋 Endorphins, our brain's natural feel-good molecules, play a significant role in alleviating both physical and mental pain.
• 👨‍🎨 Narcotics can temporarily alleviate mental pain but come with dangerous side effects.
• 😶 Researchers have discovered two existing drugs that may activate mu opioid receptors and have the potential to treat pain without the severe side effects of narcotics.
• 😒 Computational technologies have aided in the identification of these drugs and their potential therapeutic uses.
• 👍 However, further testing and clinical trials are necessary before these drugs can become approved treatments.
• 🥰 Regardless of medication, individuals can still play a role in helping loved ones experiencing severe physical or mental pain.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do we feel mental pain and how is it related to physical pain?

Mental pain is an essential alarm system that helps prevent damage and keep us connected in relationships. It is linked to the same brain circuits responsible for physical pain.

Q: What are endorphins and how do they help alleviate pain?

Endorphins are our brain's natural feel-good molecules. They attach to mu opioid receptors in the brain and trigger a series of events that ease both physical and mental pain.

Q: Can narcotics be used to treat mental pain?

Yes, narcotics can temporarily alleviate mental pain by activating mu opioid receptors. However, they are dangerous and can lead to addiction and overdose.

Q: Have researchers found a safer alternative to narcotics for pain treatment?

Researchers have identified two non-narcotic drugs that activate mu opioid receptors in a way that may treat pain without the severe side effects associated with narcotics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mental pain is a natural response to loss and separation and serves as an alarm system to prevent damage.

• Endorphins, the brain's natural remedy for pain, help alleviate both physical and mental pain.

• Researchers have discovered two non-narcotic drugs that activate mu opioid receptors, which may be effective in treating pain with fewer dangerous side effects.