[Psychophysiology of fire walking. II. Pain perception in pyrovasy (fire walking)].

Pain perception in pyrovates involves two mechanisms: mechanical stimuli from their running technique cause convergence of noxious and non-noxious afferent impulses and central inhibition of noxious effects, while the stressful preparation period induces a temporary surplus of endorphins that elevates the pain threshold. The paper also discusses pain physiology and neuropharmacological effects of the opiate antagonist Naloxone, explaining the relationship between analgesia, hyperesthesia, stress-induced behavior, and states of consciousness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Our paper is concerned with considerations of pain physiology in pyrovasy and with neuropharmacological effects of the Opiate antagonist Naloxone. These considerations explain the relationship of analgesia and hypersthesia with stress induced behavior and states of consciousness. Apart from psychophysiological aspects we can distinguish from a biochemical and neurophysiological point of view two mechanisms of pain perception in pyrovates: 1. Certain mechanical stimuli brought about by the individual running technique of the pyrovate cause convergence of noxis and non-noxic afferent impulses as well as central inhibition of the effect of noxic stimuli. 2. The long stressful period of preparations induces a temporary surplus of Endorphins elevating the pain threshold.