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Is House Becoming a Cutter?
On top of his many problems, Dr. House has also been observed cutting himself. Most recently, in the throes of Vicodin withdrawal symptoms, House cuts his arm, arguing that endorphins released in reaction to the injury will help relieve his symptoms.
This is based on solid research on the part of the writers. Endorphins, discovered in 1975, are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function in the transmission of signals within the nervous system. Stress and pain are the two most common factors leading to the release of endorphins. Endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain, having a similar action to drugs such as morphine and codeine (and Vicodin!). Unlike drugs, however, activation of the opiate receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.
But cutting isn't a typical response of opiate addicts. Rather, this form of self-injury occurs predominantly in adolescents, particularly females, who are experiencing emotional issues such as depression, low self-esteem, or anxiety. Sometimes people self-injure because they feel empty or numb, because they cannot find another way to express their emotions, or because they perceive that the physical pain obliterates or possibly validates their emotional pain.
This doesn't sound like House. His motives seem more intellectual, a search for ways to mimic that Vicodin high. But there's a problem with his theory. Endorphin release varies among individuals - meaning that two people who exercise at the same level or suffer the same degree of pain will not necessarily produce similar levels of endorphins. So there's no guarantee that the cutting will even help his symptoms.
Further, there are activities that can trigger endorphin release that are far more pleasant than cutting. House doesn't strike me as the type who participates in strenuous athletics, but studies of acupuncture and massage therapy have shown that both these techniques can stimulate endorphin secretion. Sex is also a potent trigger for endorphin release. Finally, the practice of meditation can increase the amount of endorphins released in the body.
So it's unlikely that House will become a habitual self-injurer. Time will tell.
Related Topics:When Scab-Picking, Cutting Becomes Addictive College Students May Hide Self-Harm
Technorati Tags: House, cutting, self-harm, painkiller addiction
This is based on solid research on the part of the writers. Endorphins, discovered in 1975, are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function in the transmission of signals within the nervous system. Stress and pain are the two most common factors leading to the release of endorphins. Endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain, having a similar action to drugs such as morphine and codeine (and Vicodin!). Unlike drugs, however, activation of the opiate receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.
But cutting isn't a typical response of opiate addicts. Rather, this form of self-injury occurs predominantly in adolescents, particularly females, who are experiencing emotional issues such as depression, low self-esteem, or anxiety. Sometimes people self-injure because they feel empty or numb, because they cannot find another way to express their emotions, or because they perceive that the physical pain obliterates or possibly validates their emotional pain.
This doesn't sound like House. His motives seem more intellectual, a search for ways to mimic that Vicodin high. But there's a problem with his theory. Endorphin release varies among individuals - meaning that two people who exercise at the same level or suffer the same degree of pain will not necessarily produce similar levels of endorphins. So there's no guarantee that the cutting will even help his symptoms.
Further, there are activities that can trigger endorphin release that are far more pleasant than cutting. House doesn't strike me as the type who participates in strenuous athletics, but studies of acupuncture and massage therapy have shown that both these techniques can stimulate endorphin secretion. Sex is also a potent trigger for endorphin release. Finally, the practice of meditation can increase the amount of endorphins released in the body.
So it's unlikely that House will become a habitual self-injurer. Time will tell.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: House, cutting, self-harm, painkiller addiction
