According to the gate-control theory of pain, the release of endorphins by the brain may be responsible for:
A)the feeling of phantom pain that is sometimes experienced in amputated limbs
B)the effectiveness of placebos in reducing the perception of pain
C)an increase in the activity of small fibers, opening pain gates in the spinal cord
D)a decrease in the activity of large fibers, closing pain gates in the spinal cord

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory of pain suggests that pain signals can be blocked by non-pain signals if they both arrive at the same time at the spinal cord. The release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers, can create non-pain signals and hence block pain signals from reaching the brain. This is what happens when a placebo is given, leading to a reduction in the perception of pain.

According to the Gate-Control Theory of Pain, the Release of Endorphins