Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself - io9 Comments

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

blurey — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:35:34 PST

pleasureble pain is like scratching. it hurts but it releives that urge, somehow making it feel good. eating spicy food is similar, it's "painfull" yet it's good! could it be a some sort of addiciton to the adrenaline rush as it's secreted from our adrenal glands? the release of dopamine(c8h11n02)& serotonin (c10h12n20)also come into play. are we all just chemical junkies?-blurey

blurey

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Mister Adequate — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:43:50 PST

@lalaland13: If I watch the video it breaks my heart and I cry like a baby.

I don't like the sensation of pain in kinky stuff, so much as the mental stuff going on.

Mister Adequate

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Jeff-Minor — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:11:42 PST

Science has the ability to answer questions up to a point, then someone says that's all they know. Why a human has a neurological response can be boiled down to nerve impulses. How those impulses are interpreted in that brain fall within a range. People can become addictied to some of their select natural brain chemicals. There are fear junkies, sex addicts, and then the list of ways to get high is too long to bother with. We seem to have a built in desire to play with our own feeling states. Turning pain or fear into pleasure is just getting some of us ready for Hell.

Jeff-Minor

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

cde — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:29:15 PST

This study is kinda pointless. They didn't measure why or how continuous scratching/pain inducing will eventually revert to just being painful again. I'm all for biting and scratching and whatnot, but at a certain point, my sides and back are too scratched up to feel good anymore, and biting too deep hurts like hell.

Or not that it feels "good" or "bad", it just feels different. Look at the average cube dweller. If some does/feels the same thing for too long, anything different feels better even if it really doesn't. If you sit at a computer going online all day, every day for a week, you get bored and numb, so that magazine you see in the corner of your eye, even if its the same damn thing as a website, becomes a beter feeling option.

cde

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:52:49 PST

@Morgan: All of this, of course, is simply an exercise in tetrapyloctomy. The fact is that I was just expressing my dissapointment over what I perceived to be ambiguous phrasing--a phrasing that I maintain scientists continue to use despite the fact that it's ambiguous. Since evolutionary scientists are making statements all the time about "why" things come about, it stands to reason that there'd be at least some effort in establishing a difference between the word we use to describe the mechanism behind something, and the word we use to describe what that thing is for.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:49:18 PST

@Annalee: That is certainly a potentially valid reason.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Annalee Newitz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:32:46 PST

@braak: From an evolutionary perspective, it seems to me it might be beneficial to develop a trait that lowers painful feelings WHILE YOU FEEL THEM. Helps you cope in the moment with pain. Sort of a crude version of what the characters in Iain M. Banks novels do when they "gland" painkillers stored in their brains while fighting so that they don't have that pesky pain holding them back.

Annalee Newitz

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Morgan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:26:46 PST

@braak: "Why" can be "as the result of what cause" in addition to "for what reason." When someone asks "why is the sky blue," "because light refracts in the atmosphere in such a way as to reflects blue" is a perfectly valid answer even though it doesn't indicate any reason or purpose for the sky being blue. Indeed, it's the only type of answer one could give to that question unless you want to invoke some sort of god (ie, "because Zeus wants the sky to be blue," or "because God made humans to have this neurological reaction"). Clearly, a scientist cannot answer that way; since there is no observable intent behind either the color of the sky or the evolution of human neurology, a scientist can only answer as to what causes these to occur. The question you may want answered is "why did this evolve" or, more specifically, "what made this a trait beneficial enough to increase the fitness of those that have it," but that really isn't the question they claim to have answered.

Morgan

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

We Don't Live in the 60s — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:01:52 PST

@Jeff-Minor:

I know exactly what you mean about the hot water and the itch. Nothing stopped the itch like nearly scalding water.

It's a little shocking though that it took research to realize that pain distracts from other things.

We Don't Live in the 60s

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:57:58 PST

@Morgan: I'm not sure about that. Typically when you're using "why" you're using it to say "to what reason," or "for what purpose." Describing the mechanism that results in it doesn't describe the purpose behind it. It does describe the reason that leads to it, but not the reason that it satisfies. Instead, it describes the "how," the "by what method" or "as a result of what reason" of the situation.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Annalee Newitz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:52:41 PST

@templedrake: The fact that your moniker is Temple Drake means that you could basically say anything to me and I would happily listen. I might even bring along a corncob.

Annalee Newitz

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Morgan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:44:29 PST

@braak: They speak English just fine. They've figured out why you get pleasure from hurting yourself (answer: this neurological reaction takes place). Getting upset because they didn't tell you why this neurlogical reaction exists is silly, because they never claimed to have the answer to that question.

Morgan

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:29:44 PST

@Jeff-Minor: The wild boy. The pretty girl is Miranda.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Spiral — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:41:40 PST

This article is for you, emo kid.

Spiral

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Jeff-Minor — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:37:07 PST

Which one is Braak, the pretty girl or the wild boy?

Jeff-Minor

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:13:15 PST

@templedrake: Oh, whoah, ouch.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

TempleDrake — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:02:14 PST

@braak: You're so cutting and witty. I can hardly fucking stand it.

TempleDrake

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Biggrz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:46:23 PST

@rocknrollunicorn: Yes? What do I win?

Biggrz

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

rocknrollunicorn — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:41:18 PST

So... they want to create a pill that will suppress memory and pain receptors? Is the end goal of science to rid us completely of all those yucky things like emotions and senses and anything that makes us human?

rocknrollunicorn

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:36:13 PST

@templedrake: Not really.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Jeff-Minor — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:20:37 PST

I can get a pain-buzz, from lifting weights. Lots of people become endorphin freaks because of this pain-pleasure relationship. As for itching, I got poison ivy-ed this last year and I could make it stop itching with very hot water. The point at which pain over-came itching was almost orgasmic. I also think the shock of jumping into ice-cold water is a pain-pleasure thing. until you freeze to death and die.

Jeff-Minor

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

TempleDrake — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:18:16 PST

@braak: I'm not a guy. Does that make a difference? Ha.

TempleDrake

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

El-Zilcho — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:17:33 PST

Stupid article. Now my back is itchy and I can't reach it.

El-Zilcho

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

extracrispy — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:17:10 PST

This study was just about scratching. You made quite a leap to get from scratching to, uhhh, S&M behavior. I think I like you. :)

extracrispy

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

J.D.Regent — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:16:45 PST

@langtry: but it's that laughing/crying/on the edge of losing control feeling that so many people get off on...

J.D.Regent

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:10:57 PST

@langtry: Yes, well, those would be the choices.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

cate3710 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:03:56 PST

@lalaland13: It turns it into something physical and controllable - the latter is very important, I think.

cate3710

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Katana_Mind — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:03:23 PST

This does nothing to explain why I have a special scratchy point on my back that only feels good when it is scratched by a lover.

Maybe that place is connected to a certain painful memory that I need to forget when I'm with a lover?
[Like the fact that I haven't really tested myself for anything since 2001?]

Katana_Mind

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

langtry — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:02:55 PST

I've tried being spanked, and the only thing it did was make me laugh. It either works for you or it doesn't.

langtry

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:01:35 PST

@templedrake: Well, yeah. But having a guy just *tell* you something doesn't have quite the same weight to it as proving it with science.

I mean, people tell me stuff all the time, but that doesn't mean I should believe it.

@NefariousNewt: That's what I've always assumed. I just get my knickers in a twist when some scientist says, "Oh, we've figured out why this happens!" And it turns out that they just don't speak English very well, and can't tell the difference between "why" and "how."

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

NefariousNewt — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:00:21 PST

@J.D.Regent: Would need more information. I assume (perhaps incorrectly), that alcohol was involved? In Mexico? ;)

Anything that masks pain can take on an addictive quality, as well as enhancing the already addictive qualities of drugs/alcohol.

NefariousNewt

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

TempleDrake — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:58:38 PST

Duh- All destructive habits do this- it's the same with compulsive shopping or gambling- it reconfigures an uncomfortable present by rupturing the "now". I could have told you that, and I am certainly not a neuro scientist.

TempleDrake

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

NefariousNewt — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:57:55 PST

@braak: Honestly, I don't think it's the pain that makes you feel better, it's the endorphins released when you encounter pain that make it feel good. It's classical conditioning - you have pain, you body makes its own opiate to dull the pain, which feels better and gives you that little high that you brain digs, so you want to feel the pain again.

NefariousNewt

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:55:58 PST

@Biggrz: @Pope John Peeps II: All very good reasons!

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

J.D.Regent — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:55:10 PST

Is this like when I forgot how I got my last tattoo?

J.D.Regent

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

lalaland13 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:54:07 PST

One of the better explanations I've heard for self-harm is that it takes the mental pain/anxiety/depression and turns it into something physical. At least that's the one that seems to apply for me. That, and in a weird way, I think I deserve it.

No, I don't slit my wrists. I tried once and all I got was razoburn and the shit scared out of me.

"Hurt" by Johnny Crash just about makes me cry. I know he wasn't the original artist, but that song is just so sad and poignant.

lalaland13

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

vonnegurl — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:52:42 PST

wait, being in pain is distracting? Thank god for science.

vonnegurl

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Pope John Peeps II — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:51:10 PST

@braak: Jesus did it. Or... a wizard.

Pope John Peeps II

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Biggrz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:47:42 PST

@braak: maybe if you're being attacked or eaten by a predator, it helps to stop thinking about how you 'feel' about it, so that you can run for your life?

Biggrz

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

braak — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:44:41 PST

All right, but technically, this still doesn't explain why small amounts of pain make you feel better, it's just a more complex explanation of how.

What I mean is, scientists still don't seem to know what the hell it's for.

braak

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

DeeJayQueue — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:43:07 PST

ok, for self-destructive people who are cutters or who don't know when to stop, that's fine. But I don't want to see some pill being pushed as a "cure" for people into S&M.

DeeJayQueue

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Reluctant Financier — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:43:00 PST

This is good news. Now when I'm being flogged by my Master, I'll know that I enjoy it because it's a neurogical feeling as opposed to me being perverted (in a good way).

When is the Folsom St Fair again?

Reluctant Financier

Neuroscience Explains Why You Get Pleasure From Hurting Yourself

Dead Air ummm Dead Air — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:41:19 PST

Put the lotion in the basket.

Dead Air ummm Dead Air