Calming: A photo of a loved on dulls activity in the pain-processing areas of the brain, to the same degree as paracetamol or cocaine, scientists claim.
 

Photographs of loved ones have the power to dull pain, scientists have discovered.

Researchers found that an image of a romantic partner dulls activity in the pain-processing areas of the brain, to the same degree as paracetamol or narcotics such as cocaine.

A study by Stanford University found direct evidence linking feelings of emotional attachment with the soothing of pain.

The brains of lovestruck students were subjected to MRI scans as they focused on photographs of partners while varying levels of heat pain were applied to their skin.

Neuroscientist Jarred Younger found, on average, pain was reduced by between 36 and 44 per cent, with intense discomfort eased by up to 13 per cent.

In a study published in the US journal Public Library of Science, the post-doctoral scholar said: 'The reduction of pain is associated with higher, cortical parts of the brain.

'Love-induced analgesia is much more associated with the reward centres.

'The region tells the brain that you really need to keep doing this. This tells us that you don't have to just rely on drugs for pain relief.

'People are feeling intense rewards without the side effects of drugs.'

In a separate analysis, psychologists studied 25 women and their boyfriends of more than six months, subjecting them to different levels of pain, using a sharp, prickling sensation.

During the various 'stimulations', the women either held their boyfriend's hand or the hand of a male stranger, both of whom were hidden behind a curtain.

In other cases, the women were asked to view a photograph of their boyfriend, or a picture of a male stranger while being subjected to discomfort.

Researchers at the University of California, where the study took place, discovered the women showed significantly reduced pain experience while holding their partner's hand.

But surprisingly, the photograph of their romantic partner provided equally effective pain relief, and both cases were far greater than when a stranger was involved.

科学家发现，恋人的照片有减轻疼痛的功效。

研究人员发现，恋人的照片可以减弱大脑中疼痛处理区的活动，起到类似于扑热息痛片或者可卡因等麻醉剂的作用。

斯坦福大学的一项研究发现了证明情感依恋和减轻疼痛有关的直接证据。

在研究中，研究人员在热恋中的学生皮肤上进行不同程度的烧灼刺激，要求他们集中精力看他们恋人的照片，同时用磁核共振成像拍摄了他们大脑的活动情况。

神经系统科学家贾雷德?雅戈尔发现，平均来说，这些学生的疼痛感降低了36%到44%，而强烈的不适感减轻了约13%。

在一项发表在美国《公共科学图书馆》期刊上的研究中，博士后学者雅戈尔说：“疼痛感的减轻与大脑皮质上层有关。

“爱情的镇痛作用更多地和奖励中枢有关。

“奖励中枢会告诉大脑将当前的行为继续下去，这说明我们不一定只能依靠药品来镇痛。

“人们可以强烈地感受到奖励，而不需要承担药品的副作用。”

在一个独立研究中，心理学家研究了25位女性和她们的男朋友，这些恋人交往的时间都超过了6个月。研究人员让这些人经历了不同程度的尖锐的刺痛感。

在不同的疼痛刺激中，研究人员要求她们握着男友或是一位陌生男人的手，与此同时男人们都藏在帘子后面。

而在其他的实验中，研究人员要求这些女性在承受疼痛的同时，看着她们的男友或是一名陌生男子的照片。

该研究是在加州大学进行的，该大学的研究人员发现女性在握着她们恋人的手时，疼痛感明显减轻了。

但是令人惊讶的是，看着她们恋人的照片也能起到同样的镇痛效果，不过如果对方是个陌生男性，则无论是握手还是看照片，效果都远不及此。