Marcie
February 6th, 2010, 01:19 PM
I don't know if anyone's posted anything like this, though someone probably has, but I want to post what is happening when someone cuts. Also, why it makes you feel slightly better, for a short time.
Donna Rae Siegfried’s text, “Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies,” explains that the nociceptors, specialized nerve endings in the skin, function to sense pain. Epinephrine, which you probably know as adrenaline, is produced by the adrenal medulla, which is located on top of the kidneys. Epinephrine is rushed throughout the circulatory system upon initiation of a stressful situation. A laceration to the body would incite this response due to the pain sensed by the central nervous system.
Epinephrine causes the breathing rate and the heart rate to increase. Norepinephrine is also released in a stressful situation such as a laceration induced from ‘cutting.’ Norepinephrine causes vasoconstriction, or tightening of the blood vessels. The tightening of the blood vessels makes them smaller thus increasing blood pressure.
Tissue injury results in an inflammatory response. A damaged capillary – many would be damaged in the case of a ‘cutter’ – triggers the release of histamine. Histamine causes dilation of the capillary. The body needs more blood flow so that more immune system cells can come and fight any microbes that would potentially cause an infection. Bradykinin is also released at the same time. This chemical causes the nerves to send a signal of pain to the brain.
The pain signal sent to the brain causes a pain relief response in the body. Natural pain relievers produce pleasure in the brain and body. An unpleasant action, such as cutting, produces a pleasant feeling in a short amount of time. ‘Cutting’ can be addictive because the endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin that are released by the body can feel similar to a drug rush, though to a lesser degree. Chemically, these neurotransmitters are very similar to many prescription painkillers.
Donna Rae Siegfried’s text, “Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies,” explains that the nociceptors, specialized nerve endings in the skin, function to sense pain. Epinephrine, which you probably know as adrenaline, is produced by the adrenal medulla, which is located on top of the kidneys. Epinephrine is rushed throughout the circulatory system upon initiation of a stressful situation. A laceration to the body would incite this response due to the pain sensed by the central nervous system.
Epinephrine causes the breathing rate and the heart rate to increase. Norepinephrine is also released in a stressful situation such as a laceration induced from ‘cutting.’ Norepinephrine causes vasoconstriction, or tightening of the blood vessels. The tightening of the blood vessels makes them smaller thus increasing blood pressure.
Tissue injury results in an inflammatory response. A damaged capillary – many would be damaged in the case of a ‘cutter’ – triggers the release of histamine. Histamine causes dilation of the capillary. The body needs more blood flow so that more immune system cells can come and fight any microbes that would potentially cause an infection. Bradykinin is also released at the same time. This chemical causes the nerves to send a signal of pain to the brain.
The pain signal sent to the brain causes a pain relief response in the body. Natural pain relievers produce pleasure in the brain and body. An unpleasant action, such as cutting, produces a pleasant feeling in a short amount of time. ‘Cutting’ can be addictive because the endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin that are released by the body can feel similar to a drug rush, though to a lesser degree. Chemically, these neurotransmitters are very similar to many prescription painkillers.