We’ve all taken painkillers for a headache, a backache, or menstrual cramps without a second thought. It’s gotten to a point where many people take painkillers for minor pains, not understanding how it’s going to impact their body in the long-term.A slight discomfort and we self-medicate to keep going on.

But have you ever thought about how this action is impacting the way your body and mind process pain? Or potential side effects?

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A 2020 review of the global perspective and Indian scenario in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine shares that 52 per cent of Indians were estimated to self-medicate, according to a survey across 10 cities. Add to that, a 2024 study published in eClinicalMedicine found that women are significantly less likely to have their pain complaints taken seriously, making them more prone to silently suffer or self-medicate.

But this rising trend comes with long-term consequences, especially when taking painkillers becomes more than just a backup plan.

 

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You must have noticed that awful breakup or injury from last year that doesn’t sting as much now. That’s because our brain can be surprisingly picky about what it holds onto. 

When you experience pain, sensory nerves send signals to your spinal cord, which then relays them to the brain. The thalamus in the brain acts as a relay station, directing these signals to different areas. The somatosensory cortex identifies where the pain is and how intense it is, while the amygdala and hippocampus link it to emotions and memories. But, over time, the brain quietly softens these memories to protect us from reliving the trauma.

 

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Why Do We Feel Less Pain Over Time?

Painkillers are everywhere, and they’ve become the go-to fix for everything from headaches to heartache. Have you ever thought,  why do people react so differently to pain? One person can smile with a slipped disc while another winces at a paper cut. A good example of this would be the trend where men tried period pain simulators. Many of them were stunned by the intensity of discomfort women go through every month. 

Actually, it’s less about toughness and more about how the brain and body have been wired over time. As a matter of fact, frequent use of sedatives messes with pain receptors. Over time, they stop responding as sharply, which means your body literally starts feeling less. When pain receptors are dulled due to frequent painkiller use or nerve desensitization, it might seem beneficial. However, muted signals can lead to missed serious issues like infections or fractures, resulting in delayed diagnosis.

This causes high pain tolerance in people. The pain threshold becomes more and one may be unable to differentiate if they’ve been hit by a sharp object, muscle pull or a fracture. They could be walking around with an injury, unware of the condition. 

When your pain tolerence is too high, it can be risky. It may lead to burnout, stress, or unresolved trauma, causing you to ignore discomfort until it becomes chronic. By the time you seek help, the damage may be significant, and your reluctance to express pain can make it difficult for doctors to measure its severity.

 

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The Side Effects of Painkillers

Over-the-counter sedatives may feel like a life-saver momentarily, but they have a dark side too. In fact, frequent use of painkillers can lead to kidney or liver damage along with other issues. 

• Liver damage: Taking too much paracetamol over time can quietly harm your liver. You may not notice it right away. In serious cases, it can even cause liver failure.
• Kidney strain: HopkinsMedicine states painkillers like ibuprofen can slow down blood flow to your kidneys. This is risky if you’re dehydrated or already have kidney issues. Over time, it can lead to kidney damage or failure.
• Gut problems: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can irritate your stomach. You might get acidity, ulcers, or even internal bleeding. Most people don’t realize it until things get really bad.
• Heart risks: Using NSAIDs for a long time can raise your risk of heart attacks or strokes. This is especially true if you have high blood pressure or other heart problems.

 

Are We Becoming Allergic to Pain?

Being allergic to torment isn’t a medical diagnosis, but honestly, it might be a cultural one. We’re becoming less tolerant of any kind of discomfort, whether it’s a throbbing knee or a broken heart. Scroll through social media and you’ll see it: flawless skin, bounce-back recoveries, no room for struggle, fatigue, or feeling low. The ache doesn’t fit into the picture-perfect narrative. Even emotional pain gets treated like a flaw. Instead of processing it, we’re told to push through, smile more, or “just be strong.”

 

How to Process Pain Instead of Numbing It

Pain is your body’s way of waving a little red flag demanding attention. Instead of shutting it down right away, try tuning in.

Here’s how you can start processing pain instead of masking it:

1. Acknowledge your pain: Don’t ignore or de-emphasise your pain, be it physical or emotional. Instead, pause and ask: “What is this discomfort trying to tell me?” Is it stress? Overexertion? An unresolved issue? Listening to your body is the first step toward true healing.

2. Track your pain: If you feel pain frequently and don’t know how to process it, keep a simple pain journal. Note:

• When the pain starts and how long it lasts
• What seems to trigger it (e.g., certain foods, stress, physical activity)
• What brings relief (rest, movement, heat, etc.)
• Rate the intensity from 1–10 to notice patterns over time.

3. Consult, don’t guess: It’s very important not to guess anything when it comes to your health. Before you self-diagnose or pop a pill, talk to a medical professional. They can help you get to the root cause, not just manage symptoms

4. Avoid relying on Google: This is something we all do, and it’s not a healthy practice. Curiosity is one thing, but depending on Google or social media for medical advice is a big NO. They can mislead more than help. What works for someone else might not be safe for you. 

 

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Pain isn’t your enemy. It’s a biological signal asking for your attention. The real issue begins when we silence it instead of understanding it. We feel less, but we also heal less. And in the long run, this avoidance could come at the cost of our emotional intelligence, body awareness, and even survival instincts. So the next time you reach for that pill, pause and reach out to a general physician. 

Take care of your body and mind to feel your best. Sign up here to unlock holistic health. 

 

Rehabilitation Programs Offered At UR.Life

UR Life Studio offers the following programs under its Lifestyle Management and Therapeutic Programs (LMTP) unit:

• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Neuro Rehabilitation
• Ortho Rehabilitation
• Paediatric Rehabilitation
• Geriatric Rehabilitation
• Obesity Management
• Diabetes management

 
The following are the USPs of LMTP:

• Holistic Rehabilitation Approach: involves the medical, physical, and mental aspects of overall health
• Telemetry Supervised Rehabilitation: a state-of-the-art technique to provide optimal health care
• Hydrotherapy
• Six Minutes Walk Test
• Hydraulics (circuit training studio)
• VO2 max testing (equipment under servicing)
• Myo motion analysis (equipment under servicing)
• Detailed Physical Assessment
• Wellbeing Counselling
• Diet Counselling