What is the most pain a human can feel

There is no ultimate threshold for pain in human beings. Researchers’ best guess is that the maximum pain a human can tolerate is somewhere higher than 11 dol (somewhere between childbirth and taking a blowtorch to your face).

Table of Contents Show

• What is Pain Threshold?
• What is Pain Tolerance?
• Dolorimetry is a Way to Measure to Pain
• The Brain’s Perception of Pain Plays a Role in How Much Pain Someone Can Tolerate
• Can you pass out because of excessive pain?
• Suggested Reading
• What is chronic pain?
• 20 most painful conditions
• Cluster headaches
• Herpes zoster or shingles
• Frozen Shoulder
• Bone fracture
• Heart attack
• Slipped disc
• Sickle cell disease
• Migraine headache
• Related Stories
• Kidney stones
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Endometriosis
• Acute pancreatitis
• Stomach or peptic ulcer
• Fibromyalgia
• Post-surgical pain

When you slam your finger in a car door, it probably feels like the worst possible pain in that instant, but a few minutes later, when the searing ache begins to dull, we return to reality.

We remember that we hadn’t just been hit by a bus, shot by an arrow, or dismembered by a horse and carriage. From that perspective, all seems right with the world.

Yet it makes one wonder… what is the worst possible pain for human beings? More importantly, how much pain can we actually handle before passing out, dying, or completely losing our minds?

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Max Pain: How Much Pain Can A Person Take?

What is Pain Threshold?

At a very basic level, the pain threshold is the point at which a subject begins to experience pain from an outward stimulus. For example, a clamp being closed around your wrist would not immediately hurt. It would start with discomfort, and then the fight or flight response would begin as you start to feel constricted. Finally, you would experience “pain”, so that tightness would be the pain threshold pressure. 

Your pain threshold is likely different (if only minutely) from every other person. The same is true for the pain threshold temperature (when heat or cold begins to register in your subjective mind as “painful”).

This shows us that every person’s pain threshold is different, but does that arise from psychological, physical, or genetic factors? That is something that researchers have been trying to determine for many years, as the understanding and prevention of pain is one of our favorite hobbies as human beings (honestly… who likes slamming their finger in a car door?).

For researchers to study anything with scientific precision, a scale of measurement is required, but establishing that scale isn’t as easy as you might think.

What is Pain Tolerance?

This basically indicates how much pain can a person tolerate. There are two components of Pain Tolerance. First is the pain receptors in our skin that send the signal to the brain. And the second is the brain’s perception of the pain.

This decides how much attention is given to the pain or should it be ignored. Multiple factors determine the tolerance of each individual. Some of these factors are Sex, Age, Neonatal injury, and Psychological factors.

Dolorimetry is a Way to Measure to Pain

In their efforts to quantify pain, researchers at the University of Cornell devised an experiment in which they would burn the foreheads of their research subjects for three seconds at a time.

Based on the Latin word dolor (pain), they created a unit of measurement for pain (the dol). They created a 0-10.5 scale. After burning their unlucky subjects repeatedly (more than 100 times, in fact), they asked the subjects to report the levels of pain that they felt using their scale.

Many of the subjects that had second degree burns reported feeling an 8 on the pain scale. Any measurement of pain over 11 dol was deemed “indiscernible”. In other words, the pain was too unbearable to even quantify for the research subjects. This method of measuring pain sensitivity is called Dolorimetry.

This unit of measurement never really caught on in the scientific community (for obvious reasons), and while there has been a good amount of talk concerning the ultimate threshold of pain for humans, there is simply no universal, objective scale in existence.

That’s the reason doctor’s offices still use those smiley-face charts when they ask you how much pain you’re experiencing. If you said, “Approximately 3.5 dols, the doctor probably wouldn’t even know what you meant, but when you point to an animated frowning face with tears in its eyes, the doctors understand.

Pain Assessment Scale (Photo Credit: sunshine_art / Fotolia)

That uncertainty stymies scientists, but it’s unavoidable. As mentioned above, physical, psychological, and genetic factors all play a role in the subjective perception of pain for human beings, making precise quantification and comparison nearly impossible.

The Brain’s Perception of Pain Plays a Role in How Much Pain Someone Can Tolerate

As a child, imagine that you were protected from every possible danger by your parents (e.g., no climbing trees, no roughhousing, no bikes, no organized sports, etc.). If you have never experienced the pain of a broken bone or a blackened eye, your pain threshold would likely be quite low.

You’re not used to feeling pain, so it comes as more of a surprise, and physically, you would have a lower tolerance for pain. Another child who spent years scraping their knees, spraining their ankles, and being in and out of casts would likely develop a higher tolerance for pain. Once you break a few fingers falling off your skateboard, a bruised elbow doesn’t really seem that bad, right?

Psychologically, people also tolerate pain in different ways.

Some prefer to bear their pain in silence and stoicism, such as those who suffer chronic illnesses or injuries, while others resort to complaining, crying, and pill-popping as their manifestation of pain.

Some cultures see the admission of pain as a sign of weakness, so they have literally been conditioned in a “mind over matter” attitude by their family or society. One can also diminish pain by mental focus, clarity, and meditation.

One study showed that when subjects were instructed to think of a particular thought (either a neutral activity, a sexual fantasy, or no instructions), those imagining a sexual fantasy had a higher reported pain tolerance than those thinking of neutral activities.

This is another insight into the psychological nature of pain; if we can focus solely on pleasant or pleasure-inducing thoughts, we can legitimately dull our sensitivity to pain.

That leads to the final aspect of pain measurement, genetics. There is a particular enzyme (COMT) that is able to metabolize and break down dopamine, the neurotransmitter in the brain that can spread information (and pain) through the central nervous system.

If the COMT enzyme is highly active in a person’s natural chemistry, then less dopamine is present, and the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins) are able to bind where those pain-bearing dopamine transmitters would normally be. If there is a depleted level of COMT enzyme in the body, then dopamine occupies those receptors and the body’s natural pain relief system isn’t as effective.

Below is a diagram of the complex pathway through which dopamine is degraded. There are a lot of moving parts which makes studying the relationship between dopamine, pain and genetics like finding a needle in a haystack.

The biochemical pathway to degrade the neurotransmitter dopamine

Clearly, there are a lot of factors to consider in the measurement of pain, and in answer to the original question, there is no ultimate threshold for pain in human beings. Researchers’ best guess is that it is somewhere higher than 11 dol (somewhere between childbirth and taking a blowtorch to your face).

Can you pass out because of excessive pain?

It’s not unusual for somebody to pass out because of intense pain. Many people have experienced it and the reason behind this is the lack of blood supply to the brain. So now you are thinking what does my pain have to do with blood supply to the brain? The sudden spike in pain can lead to a temporary interruption in the functioning of your ANS (Autonomous Nervous System). The ANS is responsible for controlling your heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). So the interruption in its working can lead to a drop in the HR and BP. This affects the blood supply to the brain which causes stress. This results in fainting. The amount of pain which could cause fainting depends on the person’s tolerance towards pain.

Just take our word for it…. and please don’t try to measure your own pain tolerance!

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Pain is an uncomfortable feeling that tells you something is wrong. People feel pain from time to time, but chronic pain is different. It’s a type of pain that is ongoing and typically lasts longer than six months.

What is chronic pain?

Pain is a signal from the nervous system to let the individual know that something is wrong in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp. Pain can take many forms, and be localized to a part of the body or appear to come from all over. Pain involves a complex interaction between specialized nerves, the brain, and the spinal cord.

Both acute and chronic pain are known. Acute pain lasts less than 3 to 6 months. Usually, it’s directly related to soft tissue damage like a  cut, a wound, or a sprained ankle. Acute pain is characterized by its severe or sharp quality. On the other hand, chronic pain lasts more than 6 months. It’s usually associated with an underlying condition, such as arthritis, and is typically less intense, though flare-ups are very common.

Chronic pain can be debilitating and affects a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living. The following includes some of the most painful conditions.

Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska / Shutterstock

20 most painful conditions

Cluster headaches

A cluster headache is a rare type of headache, known for its extreme intensity and a pattern of occurring in “clusters”. Autonomic symptoms such as agitation and restlessness accompany the headache. The pain is so severe that it can affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities. The pain is often preceded by a migraine-like aura and followed by severe pain located quite often at one side of the head. The pain peaks over the next 5 to 10 minutes and intensifies for the next three hours or so. It goes away but may come back up to eight times a day.

Herpes zoster or shingles

Herpes zoster or shingles is a viral disease that affects the nerves. It leads to sharp, shooting, and burning pain, accompanied by itching, tingling, rash, and fluid-filled blisters. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chicken pox, can continue to live in the nerve cells after an attack of chickenpox. It may be reactivated on occasion, to cause shingles in some people. It is among the most painful conditions known. Age and weakened immunity predispose to activation.

Raised red bumps and blisters caused by shingles on skin - Image Credit: Adtapon Duangnim / Shutterstock

Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that causes stiffness and pain on the shoulder joint. The signs and symptoms include severe pain, limited range of motion, and stiff shoulder joint. The symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time. It typically resolves within one to three years.

X-ray film of primary frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis of Asian female patient. Image Credit: PK289 / Shutterstock

Bone fracture

A fractured bone pertains to a crack or a break in the bone. It can occur in any bone in the body and causes severe pain and inflammation. The severity of a fracture depends on the force that caused the break. Hence, there are many types of fractures – stable, open, transverse, oblique, and comminuted. The pain associated with a fracture is severe and may lead to limitation of movement of the affected area.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that affects one limb (foot, hand, leg or arm) after an injury. It usually stems from damage or malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system. The pain is described as burning, “pins and needles” or squeezing sensation. Aside from the severe pain, other symptoms include changes in skin color, temperature, or swelling of the affected limb.

Heart attack

Heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI) is a potentially fatal condition in which a part of the heart loses its blood supply. It is one of the leading causes of death across the globe. The prevalence of MI approaches three million people worldwide with more than one million deaths in the United States each year. When the blood flow to the heart muscles become blocked, the heart is starved of oxygen and the cells die. The pain of a heart attack is described as crushing chest pain, a feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest, or aching in the chest that spreads to the arms, neck, and jaw.

Slipped disc

Pelvic intervertebral disc prolapse or slipped disc is a condition in which the soft cushion of tissue present between adjacent spinal bones pushes out. A slipped disc can irritate nearby nerves, resulting in pain and numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. The pain worsens after sitting or standing, walking short distances, and with certain movements. The pain is more severe at night, and is    accompanied by burning, tingling, and aching sensations on the affected area.

Slipped disc illustration. Image Credit: corbac40 / Shutterstock

Sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is a group of blood disorders that affects the structure of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of the blood. People with this disease have an abnormal form of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S, which alters the shape of red blood cells into a sickle or crescent. A major symptom of sickle cell disease is periodic episodes of pain, called crises. The pain ensues when the sickle-shaped RBCs gather together inside the small blood vessels in the abdomen, joints, and chest, and block the blood flow. In some cases, bone pain can also occur.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of one or more of the joints in the body. The main symptoms include pain and stiffness, which affect mobility and worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis. Arthritis pain, called arthralgia, can feel like a dull ache or a burning sensation.

Migraine headache

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Migraine is a recurring type of headache that causes moderate to severe pain of a pulsing or throbbing character. Typically the pain occurs on one side of the head and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. The pain can last for hours or even days, with pain described as so severe it can be debilitating.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to the pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the hips to the feet. When the nerve is pressed or irritated, it can lead to pain. The pain radiates from the lower lumbar spine to the buttock and down the back of the leg. The pain can be moderate to severe, accompanied by tingling, weakness, and numbness on the affected leg. Severe sciatica can be debilitating, preventing movement.

Sciatica diagram with vertebrae, disks and nerves - Image Credit: Designua / Shutterstock

Kidney stones

Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume or an excess of stone-forming components in the urine. A kidney stone may not cause any symptoms unless it moves around within the kidney and passes down in the ureter. Severe pain may then occur in the side and back, below the ribs, and can radiate to the lower abdomen and groin area.

Human Kidney stones medical illustration. Image Credit: Lightspring / Shutterstock

Appendicitis refers to the inflammation of the appendix, a small and thin pouch connected to the colon. It can become inflamed and lead to severe pain. In severe cases, an inflamed appendix may rupture, leading to peritonitis, a serious infection of the inner lining of the abdomen. The most common symptom of appendicitis is pain that begins near the umbilical area and moves down into the right side of the lower abdomen. It gets worse in a matter of hours, but twinges of sharp pain even before that, when moving around or taking deep breaths.

Acute appendicitis, 3D illustration showing inflammed appendix on the cecum. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve. It is one of the most painful conditions known. It causes extreme, sporadic and sudden burning pain or electric shock sensation in the face, including the eyes, lips, scalp, nose, upper jaw, forehead, and lower jaw.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition wherein the tissue that normally lines the endometrium grows outside the uterus. It can grow in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the tissue lining the pelvis. The pain occurs before, during, or after menstruation. Some women may feel disabling severe pain. It can also happen during or after sexual intercourse, urination, or bowel movements.

Endometriosis. Schematic drawing of various types of endometriosis disease. Image Credit: Designua / Shutterstock

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that develops in some people with high levels of uric acid in the blood. It causes intense pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually the joint in the big toe. The pain is described as if the foot is on fire.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas, which can be mild or potentially fatal. The main causes of acute pancreatitis are gallstones and alcohol abuse. The predominant symptom is severe abdominal pain. The symptoms may include upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back and becomes worse after eating, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, and tenderness of the abdomen.

Stomach or peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers are open sores that form in the lining inside the stomach. Stomach pain is the most common symptom. It may occur anywhere from the belly button to the breastbone. The pain may last briefly or can last for hours, which typically occurs when the stomach is empty or right after eating.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain all over the body (widespread musculoskeletal pain). It may be accompanied by fatigue, sleep problems, and emotional or mental distress. Patients with the condition may be more sensitive to pain than others. Studies have linked fibromyalgia to how the body amplifies painful sensations due to the brain’s ability to process pain signals. Usually, fibromyalgia occurs after physical trauma, infection, psychological stress or surgery.

Post-surgical pain

Pain occurs after surgery due to impaired skin integrity. But, the severity and characteristic of pain depend on the type of surgery performed.

Sources

Last updated Jun 14, 2019