Pain is your body’s signal that something isn’t right. To help manage it, doctors often prescribe powerful opioids — but they’re not always the best option and can quickly lead to addiction. Illuminating the fine line between substance use and abuse, Dr. Jen Gunter explains what opioids do to your perception of pain, the risks they pose and the questions to ask your doctor about them. (For more on how your body works, tune in to her podcast, Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter, from the TED Audio Collective.)
Think you know how your body works? Think again! In this TED original series, Dr. Jen Gunter will share the truth about what’s *really* going on inside you. For more, tune into her podcast, Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter:
Follow TED!
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
Watch more:
TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at
#TED #health #pain
Banehogg
October 26, 2022 at 4:00 pm
I think opiates are pretty cool. Why you gotta give them a bad rap?
Steve Langdon
October 26, 2022 at 4:01 pm
Yes, yes, we’ve all seen dopesick
Opioids don’t do much pain relieving for me, they just make it easier to ignore because you’re high.
Naproxen is the real MVP
Judithanne m
October 26, 2022 at 4:02 pm
OTCs can also be dangerous. I have kidney disease and cannot take NSAIDS. I believe rest and sleep should be more stressed in this talk. Sometimes that works better than a lot of the pain pills available. What upsets me is those of us who have little choice are often UNDER medicated because of the opioid scares.
Allan
October 26, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Its tough. In some countries codeine base painkillers are available OTC. I had a friend that had failed kidneys and its a hard life to go for dialysis 3 times a week. His kidney disease was caused by ibuprofen!
@𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕒𝕡𝕡+𝟙𝟠𝟚𝟝𝟠𝟘𝟞𝟚𝟟𝟜𝟙
October 26, 2022 at 5:33 pm
☝️☝️☝️📥
totalfreedom45
October 26, 2022 at 4:03 pm
This is the usual evolution of the slippery slope called drugs: coffee ➡ tobacco ➡ alcohol ➡ steroids ➡ inhalants ➡ marijuana ➡ DXM ➡ kratom ➡ speed ➡ MDMA ➡ benzodiazepines (rohypnol) ➡ hallucinogens (ayahuasca, DMT, ketamine, LSD, mescaline, PCP, salvia, shrooms (psilocybin) ➡ crack cocaine ➡ crystal meth ➡ oxycodone ➡ heroin ➡ fentanyl ➡ death.
BTW alcohol has killed more people than all the other drugs combined. 💕☮🌎🌌
j.s Varaba
October 26, 2022 at 4:04 pm
🇰🇷대한민국 말로 알. 잘. 딱. 깔. 센. ( 알아서 잘~ 딱!! 깔끔하고, 센스있게. )
Allan
October 26, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Naloxone should be in every household after this influx of fentanyl. Thanks for this warning.
Mukti Gupta
October 26, 2022 at 4:31 pm
Missing your red leather jacket IDK why
Wabanaki [Dawnland People] Mi'kmaw Indian Shaman
October 26, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Try smoking a joint before taking them pills. You’ll live longer.
Shark Doge
October 26, 2022 at 5:05 pm
I swear to God, NSAIDS and Opiates don’t reduce my pain at all. I don’t have chronic pain or anything like that, but when I do something like get a burn on a stove and take either I still feel all of the pain. I never got it checked out in childhood because my parents stopped listening and I haven’t had it looked into as an adult because who cares lol.
Stephen James
October 26, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Your attitude AFFECTS your pain.
Peggy Harris
October 26, 2022 at 5:10 pm
That explanation is always warmly received 🤣
Nicol Bolas
October 26, 2022 at 5:12 pm
After my surgery, I was prescribed ketorolac, tylenol, and codeine. The least effective was the codeine because it just made me feel dizzy without removing the pain. Tylenol and anti-inflammatory meds work really well for me. Oh, and ice.
D. Pav
October 26, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Another anti-opioid Dr. Shocker!
Home Wall
October 26, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Pain is personal and doctors don’t know better what you feel. This is the same sort of language used towards women and black people who claim it’s all in your mind or just be tougher.
keenarnia
October 26, 2022 at 5:57 pm
Lol
Crypto Tonic
October 26, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Very interesting video!
In the past i ve been treated for severe pain with oppioids..
After a month i got hooked and i ve realized how bad they are..
@𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕒𝕡𝕡+𝟙𝟠𝟚𝟝𝟠𝟘𝟞𝟚𝟟𝟜𝟙
October 26, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Appreciate your feedback 👍..👆👆do well to drop a note.
Let’s talk 👆directly❣️
Carson Hunt
October 26, 2022 at 7:56 pm
I’m quite surprised at the amount of ppl who never learned pain pills are addicting lol. I remember multiple programs in middle school telling how bad drugs are … guess some
Places and or parents don’t know better! Scary world
Crypto Tonic
October 26, 2022 at 8:08 pm
@Carson Hunt Unfortunately, more awareness campaigns are needed in my state.
The misinformation mixed with the interests of pharmaceutical companies that reward doctors who prescribe opiates even for a cold, is bringing back this plagur that was believed to have vanished..
Wandat46
October 27, 2022 at 10:27 pm
That’s why I’ve never taken strong pain meds for long. Soon as I start, I’m thinking of ways to taper my dosage. I don’t want to become addicted.
Melissa Busby
October 26, 2022 at 6:43 pm
This is mostly lies that government/medical associations want everyone to believe! I’ve been on opioid pain meds for years and not had to increase my dose…. I couldn’t live without it.
gumman12341
October 26, 2022 at 7:50 pm
It also shouldn’t be as hard as it is to get them to the people who Actually need them!!! My moms had 14 back surgeries. And many other surgeries. She can’t get anything to make her pain reduce. Doctors are too damn scared to give out and help
Text Me ╂¹ ³ ¹ ⁵ ³ ¹ ⁴ ⁹ ⁶ ⁷ ¹
October 26, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Leave me a message for more ⬆️⬆️
Suzanne Bailey
October 27, 2022 at 6:03 am
It’s sad. The ones who truly need it have trouble getting proper pain relief bc doctors are too afraid to prescribe nowadays
Abby G
November 1, 2022 at 5:10 am
Yeeeeep. I can be in 10/10 back pain–doctors don’t seem to care. I’m expected to sit here for weeks in excruciating pain when nothing is helping.
Fook-Jo By-Den
October 26, 2022 at 8:52 pm
Physiological dependence isn’t equal to addiction.
Text Me ╂¹ ³ ¹ ⁵ ³ ¹ ⁴ ⁹ ⁶ ⁷ ¹
October 26, 2022 at 8:56 pm
Leave me a message now ⬆️
Wayne Gilroy
October 26, 2022 at 8:58 pm
Where did ‘opiates’ go?
And what are these ‘opioids’?
Mr. Joe Himself
October 26, 2022 at 9:13 pm
Beautifully well spoken, how lovely *joy* Thank you!
B R
October 26, 2022 at 9:39 pm
True ..I get better pain relief with Tylenol than opioids.. Like joint pain and headaches
Luke 078
October 26, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Try benzo withdrawals, opioid withdrawal is a walk in the park.
larushka1
October 26, 2022 at 10:35 pm
Well that was a waste of time TED. Not up to your usual standards.
dino_spores On Instagram Sells Psyched Stuffs
October 30, 2022 at 10:16 am
He got pills..🍄💊💉💯🌿
Lifestyle Gruarin
October 26, 2022 at 10:46 pm
Thanks for sharing
Liz Murphy
October 26, 2022 at 10:52 pm
After 4 hours of abdominal surgery as I was going back to my room my nurse offered me 2 – 1,000 mg. Tylenol. I just screamed get me your charge nurse! I have been closely with my PM doctor for 12 years! I got Morphine right away iv. I am 71 years old. I expect my pain level to be taken care of in the hospital! I did get orders for Morphine from my surgeon for my 4 day stay. I was very comfortable.
Nunya Biddies
October 27, 2022 at 4:16 am
That’s insane.
Wandat46
October 27, 2022 at 10:29 pm
Good for you. I would love to see that knucklehead doctor go through that pain with Tylenol.
Donald Frederick
October 27, 2022 at 1:32 am
Never took opioids thankfully but so tired of “Tylenol” suggestion… I’m like it didn’t work the first 19 times a Dr recommended that, you think #20 will?
Self Elements
October 27, 2022 at 3:04 am
1:06
E.coli
October 27, 2022 at 3:51 am
Totally agree with the precautions she gives, but in my personal experience, not me nor anybody else I talked to ever (and I stress it here – EVER) said that ibuprofen made them feel less pain than codeine. ever. what she’s talking about? paracetamol can’t be nearly as good as codeine or (which is much better) a combination of NSAIDS and codeine. Surely, addiction is the worst thing of all, but let’s be honest here, oftentimes NSAIDS are simply unable to stop the fucking pain and opiate receptors in our brain are there exactly for that – for reducing the pain using the opioids produced by the body itself.
When you ask you doctor about NSAIDS they should always prescribe them with a plan – a plan of not giving you an ulcer. That’s the fact she somehow decided to miss in this video.
and for f.. sake stop telling us that dopamine is for the joy and pleasure. f… no! that’s no nearly a true! dopamine never gives anybody a feeling pleasure. dopamine is about motivation and anticipation of satisfaction, its levels at top when you eagerly wait for something very desirable to happen, not after that happened. and there at least 3 dozens of other neurotransmitters in the body but media keep talking only about 2-3 of them as if they decide everything.
WhatsApp +1𝟐𝟐𝟓𝟐𝟔𝟑𝟒𝟑𝟒𝟎
October 27, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Thanks for the comment… contact me for information and profitable investment strategies…⤴️
Cornelio Abasolo
October 27, 2022 at 4:03 am
I HAVE INCURRED SO MUCH LOSSES TRADING ON MY OWN…I TRADE WELL ON DEMO BUT I THINK THE REAL MARKET IS MANIPULATED… CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT OR AT LEAST TELL ME WHAT I’M DOING WRONG ?
Emilia Lopez
October 27, 2022 at 5:02 am
62642
Emilia Lopez
October 27, 2022 at 5:02 am
72175
Emilia Lopez
October 27, 2022 at 5:05 am
Tell her I referred you ASAP
Annabelle French
October 27, 2022 at 5:08 am
@Emilia Lopez 🙏Thanks, I’ll msg her shortly
Richard Hudak
October 27, 2022 at 11:19 am
THIS LADY GOT IT WRONG I HAD THR SURGERY AND IM STILL IN CHRONIC PAIN MY PAIN MEDS HELP ME HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE
IF SHE HAD MY PAIN
SHE WOULD BE SAYING
PAIN MEDS
WORK SHES LIEING
David Phillips
October 27, 2022 at 4:20 pm
I’ve been on opoids, nerve blockers and muscle relaxants for nearly 20 years.
I tailor my opiod usage to my needs, and try to have days off where possible.
I also use a variety of relaxation techniques.
I use what you’d call Tylenol, but I never use NSAID’s as they wreck my insides. I won’t use the medications to protect the stomach (PPI’s) as they cause other issues.
Do I suffer withdrawal symptoms…yes
Can I stop completely…yes (and have a number of times).
There is no fix for my pain, and it is unrelenting.
Oliver Gröning
October 27, 2022 at 7:17 pm
Opioids might be ‘most commonly prescribed’ pain killers in the US, certainly not here in Switzerland. After a really bad cycling crash (broken collarbone, broken ribs, compressed back and lung) requiring surgery, I was released from the hospital with Optifen (Ibuprofen) and Tramal (Opioid) as pain killers. I was instructed to use the Tramal only in emergencies, if I couldn’t sleep and the Optifen wouldn’t do the job. If I needed to use it, I was told, that I could only use it for 10 days and then had to stop.
So I was really reluctant to use it and took it only once, the pain (really bad back pain) went away really quick, but I had the feeling of falling into a coma. Then never touched it again and stuck with the Optifen. I understand why the physicians here are really, really reluctant to prescribe opioids as pain killers.
Joshua Marquis
October 27, 2022 at 8:43 pm
Childish and unsophisticated.
Of course people shouldn’t receive opiates for ordinary back aches or transitory pain.
We went in the US from grossly over-prescribing them in the late 90s to dramatically
underprescribing now in 2022. The horrible death and overdose rates are not from prescription opiates,
but from illegal fentanyl and heroin.
Pray you don’t suffer either acute or severe chronic pain, or you’ll likely encounter a baby-talking, condescending
person like this, telling you “it’s all in your head.”
WhatsApp +1𝟐𝟐𝟓𝟐𝟔𝟑𝟒𝟑𝟒𝟎
October 27, 2022 at 11:40 pm
#
Karen Carpenter
October 28, 2022 at 12:00 am
What a load of actual crap.opuates rules are racist and misogynistic and Not one person in a white lab coat or the government should be in charge of any person’s entire life course. Opiates gave been working for over 4000 years. Any responsible adult with valid ID should be able to buy what they want or need and go on with their work or life. It is not a crime to be in pain whether emotional physical or spiritual.
Jan Poole
October 28, 2022 at 12:19 am
@obssession, THAT’S BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PAIN OPIOIDS WORK FOR NERVE PAIN NOT SO MUCH FOR BACK PAIN THAT’S WHY THE IBUPROFEN WORK FOR THE BACK PAIN PEOPLE ARE SO UNEDUCATED ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PAIN AND WHAT PAIN MEDICATIONS WORK FOR EACH ONE OF THEM!
Benoit-Pierre DEMAINE
October 28, 2022 at 10:21 am
3:09 asking à specific med to a doctor is not the right thing to do. It’s the right thing with pharmacist, not with doctor. Pharmacist sell you what you ask. The doctor is an engineer trained to find the best solution to a problem, you should not request a specific solution.
And advising to do so on an educational channel is counter productive.
For this single phrase, the video should be removed.
Katarina Janoskova
October 29, 2022 at 7:45 pm
After my periods were getting progressively worse and not even codeine+ibuprofen worked (the dose you can buy OTC in UK), I finally had a surgery on my uterus. After I woke up I was in terrible pain and was told I had been given morphine but it didn’t seem to be doing anything. I had to wait few hours and after eating a piece of toast the nurses agreed to give me ibuprofen (not before I had sth in my stomach) and that helped a little bit. Since then I am honestly more and more confused about how painkillers work.
And also, I much recommend you read Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe.