Painkillers

Fear that makes you vomit, the sting [blank] a rejection, paralyzing grief - emotional pain can manifest [blank] many physical symptoms. And while writers and musicians have spun tales and crafted songs intertwining physical and emotional pain for centuries, scientists have found it more difficult to describe the relationship between the two. Now, recent breakthroughs [blank] shedding light on the shared mechanisms that underlie both kinds of pain, offering an explanation as to why one leads to the other and providing avenues [blank] treating some of our most debilitating conditions. While senses like vision and hearing have nerve pathways that can be traced [blank] the eyes and ears to a distinct brain region, brain activity in response to pain is more complex. It incorporates thoughts and emotions, which is why a good book can lessen a toothache, for instance, or the pain [blank] a hot probe hurts more when you feel sad.