logo
episode-header-image
Sep 4
45m 26s

How Does Pain Work? Dr. Sanjay Gupta Exp...

NPR
About this episode
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new book examines the world of pain — why we feel it, and how we can treat it. He says distraction and meditation can be useful tools for managing pain. He spoke with Terry Gross about how the brain gets pain signals wrong, alternatives to painkillers, and how a family of circus performers inspired a new drug. Gupta's book is It Doesn't Have to Hurt.

Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the HBO series Task, by the creator of Mare of Easttown, starring Mark Ruffalo. 
 


Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
A Manual For Keeping A Democracy
MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) legal analyst and former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance discusses recent impactful decisions by courts and the Justice Department, and how her son helped her understand Gen Z’s view of defending democracy. Her new book is ‘Giving Up is Unforgivable.’ <br/><br/> ... Show More
44m 43s
Nov 24
Brendan Fraser Has Everything & Nothing To Prove
<p dir="ltr">In his new film, 'Rental Family,' Brendan Fraser plays an actor in Tokyo who takes a job with a rental family service. It's based on a real phenomenon in Japan: companies where you can hire someone to fill a gap in your life. Fraser spoke with Tonya Mosley about shoo ... Show More
45 m
Nov 22
Best Of: Ben Stiller / Cynthia Erivo
<p dir="ltr">Ben Stiller talks about his new Apple TV+ documentary about his actor/comedian parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, they were famous as the comedy duo, Stiller and Meara. Ben talks about growing up in a showbiz family, where there was no separa ... Show More
48m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
The Answer to Pain May Lie in Your Brain
For something that’s a universal experience, pain has been pretty hard to measure, treat and even understand. That’s what Dr. Sanjay Gupta decided to write his forthcoming book, “It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a Pain-Free Life.” And in this episode, he's switching o ... Show More
30m 15s
Apr 2021
The Art and Science of Easing Pain with Abdul-Ghaaliq Lalkhen, MD
All of us have experienced physical pain at some point in our lives. Yet many of us are unaware of how essential context is to the pain experience. Even today, there is much about pain that remains poorly understood. How is it that something so core to being human can remain such ... Show More
45m 42s
Sep 9
Can You Eat or Meditate Your Way to Less Pain?
An estimated 51 million Americans live with chronic pain. But our understanding of pain has evolved and so has the ways we can treat and reduce pain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how both diet and meditation can affect the way we experience pain. Our show is produced by Eryn Mathews ... Show More
13m 16s
Mar 2023
220 - How to Deal with Chronic Pain with Dr. Andrea Furlan
<p dir="ltr">Our guest today is an award-winning pain specialist with decades of experience helping patients with chronic pain achieve a better quality of life. Dr. Andrea Furlan is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, an Associate Professor in the Department of ... Show More
1h 13m
Oct 16
Feel Better Now: Neurosurgeon Reveals the New Science of Healing Your Body & Stopping Pain Today
<p>In today’s episode, you’re going to learn the new science of healing your body, stopping pain, and feeling better now. </p><p>One of the world’s most respected neurosurgeons and medical experts alive is here to reveal the new frontiers in pain management and how you can feel b ... Show More
1h 12m
Apr 2025
#345 ‒ Chronic pain: pathways, treatment, and the path to physical and psychological recovery | Sean Mackey, M.D., Ph.D.
<p><a href= "https://peterattiamd.com/seanmackey/?utm_source=podcast-feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=250421-pod-seanmackey&utm_content=250421-pod-seanmackey-podfeed"> View the Show Notes Page for This Episode</a></p> <p><a href= "https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/?utm_sour ... Show More
2h 47m
Nov 2009
Understanding human pain, suffering and relief through brain imaging
Professor Irene Tracey talks about her research into pain through using brain imaging technology to see exactly how the brain is affected by pain while discussing its implications to how we understand pain in society. 
1h 20m
Sep 2024
Dr. Sanjay Gupta On The 5 Pillars Of Brain Health
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p><em>---</em></p> <p>Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the multiple Emmy Award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and host of the CNN podcast <a hre ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 2024
Your Next Pain Prescription Could Come without Addiction Risk
The Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review to suzetrigine, a novel painkiller. It’s part of a new class of medications that could provide relief to those with chronic pain. The drugs target sodium channels on nerve cells, stopping pain signaling at the periphery ... Show More
12m 13s
Feb 2021
Eric Garland - Working with Addiction & Pain
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical researcher and psychotherapist Eric Garland. Eric has spent his career developing effective ways to use mindfulness and other contemplative approaches for problems like addiction and chronic pain. Their conversation covers many topics, ... Show More
57m 52s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami