Episode 232: How Your Brain Impacts Chronic Pain with Dr. Afton Hassett

Dr. Hassett is a licensed clinical psychologist who is an Associate Professor and the Director of Pain and Opioid Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan (UM). She conducts interdisciplinary research related to exploring the role of cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in chronic pain. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and is a leader in the field of resilience and pain. She is the author of “Chronic Pain Reset: 30 Days of Activities, Practices and Skills to Help You Thrive,” an innovative pain self-management book for patients and their clinicians released earlier this fall. Key Topics: - Examining the epidemic of chronic pain - How chronic pain impacts mental health and vice versa - The neurotransmitters impacted by chronic pain - How stress and burnout play a role in pain conditions - Pain is often a response to trauma - Enhancing positive emotions impacts chronic pain - How to gain motivation to try something new - Reducing anxiety before surgery Learn more about Dr. Hassett and her book at AftonHassett.com. Free download: grab Erin’s stress-busting nutrition guide here: https://mailchi.mp/5bf7e5c21f62/stress-busting-nutrition-guide