January 14, 2005

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  Pain used to uncover brain secret

  
  

  Volunteers are to be 'burnt' by scientists to see if faith eases pain. Oxford University scientists will carry out experiments on hundreds of people in a bid to understand how the brain works during states of consciousness.

  
  

  One aspect of the two-year study will involve followers of both religious and secular beliefs being burnt to see if they can handle more pain than others. Some volunteers will be shown religious symbols such as crucifixes and images of the Virgin Mary during the tests.

  
  

  Centre deputy director Toby Collins added: "The reason we are using pain is that it is easily standardized but varies greatly between individuals."

  
  

  Dr Alison Gray, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said "Religious practices such as prayer and meditation release endorphins and would in theory increase the pain threshold."

  
  

   

  • 6:24 am
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