Discussion on the session on nociceptive mechanisms: report by A. G. Brown

Abstract

The very first point for discussion was about the meaning of the word ‘nociception’. This problem came up throughout the meeting and was the main topic considered in the general discussion at the very end. Dr Nathan reminded the audience that the term ‘ noci-receptive’ was due to Sherrington and was not equivalent to ‘pain’. Dr Nathan’s account of human beings inducing trance states so as not to feel pain drew some anecdotes from the audience: of people lying on beds of nails (who did not feel pain after naloxone administration) and of sympathetic labour pains, as well as the state of fire-walkers’ feet. To a question about whether there was any evidence for animals controlling pain, animal hypnosis and acupuncture analgesia were discussed, although it was agreed that the mechanisms are not understood. Finally, it was noted that stress-induced analgesia in animals can be conditioned so that withdrawal reflexes and escape behaviour may be suppressed.