Pain is subjective and depends on the context in which it is experienced. In this Review the authors examine the effect of expectation (negative and positive), and other contextual factors, on the differential activation of neurochemical pathways and the sensation of pain and effectiveness of analgesia. The reviewers use data from placebo and nocebo response experiments to argue that the overall context, including the relationship between patient and doctor, can control the effectiveness of pharmaceutical intervention.
- Elisa Carlino
- Elisa Frisaldi
- Fabrizio Benedetti
