#178 - Leigh Cowart on HURTS SO GOOD

Science journalist Leigh Cowart chats with Trey Elling about HURTS SO GOOD: THE SCIENCE AND CULTURE OF PAIN ON PURPOSE. Questions include: What is pain? (01:26) Why do endorphins help explain why pain can feel good? (02:25) How do fMRI scans differ between the brains of masochists and non when dealing with pain? (08:11) What do people get wrong about capsaicin, the chemical that causes the hot spice in peppers? (15:24) Why does she tend to notice how attention changes perception? (20:36) Where is the line when purposeful pain goes from good to bad? (22:25) Why is discomfort good for us? (25:11)