How do pain relievers work? - George Zaidan
4,032,162 Views
25,057 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
Some people take aspirin or ibuprofen to treat everyday aches and pains, but how exactly do the different classes of pain relievers work? Learn about the basic physiology of how humans experience pain, and the mechanics of the medicines we've invented to block or circumvent that discomfort.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
All those different brands, varieties, and strengths filling the shelves at the drugstore can give anyone a headache! While there may be a hundred different colored boxes and bottles on the shelf, Alice (of Go Ask Alice fame) explains the four basic types of non-prescription pain-relievers.
One of the most strangest types of pain comes from hitting your “funny bone.” Mentalfloss writes that the "funny bone" is neither funny (when you whack it on the edge of a piece of furniture), nor a bone (whether you whack it or not). Where'd the name come from, and why is it so painful? Click here.
What happens when you can’t feel pain? http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/cipa.htm
Is pain all in your mind? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3NmTE-fJSo
The Human Nervous System (Chapter 30) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780125476263#ancS1
The Induction of Pain http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9987804
George Zaidan's other TED-Ed lesson: How do cancer cells grow? How does chemotherapy fight cancer (and cause negative side effects)? The answers lie in cell division. George Zaidan explains how rapid cell division is cancer’s "strength" -- and also its weakness. http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-cancer-cells-behave-differently-from-healthy-ones-george-zaidan
One of the most strangest types of pain comes from hitting your “funny bone.” Mentalfloss writes that the "funny bone" is neither funny (when you whack it on the edge of a piece of furniture), nor a bone (whether you whack it or not). Where'd the name come from, and why is it so painful? Click here.
What happens when you can’t feel pain? http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/cipa.htm
Is pain all in your mind? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3NmTE-fJSo
The Human Nervous System (Chapter 30) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780125476263#ancS1
The Induction of Pain http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9987804
George Zaidan's other TED-Ed lesson: How do cancer cells grow? How does chemotherapy fight cancer (and cause negative side effects)? The answers lie in cell division. George Zaidan explains how rapid cell division is cancer’s "strength" -- and also its weakness. http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-cancer-cells-behave-differently-from-healthy-ones-george-zaidan
About TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Producer Aaron Augenblick, Lisa Thomas
- Educator George Zaidan
- Director Hal Lee
- Animator Iona Nistor
- Narrator George Zaidan
