eli5: If all pain medication does the same thing (trick the body into thinking everything is okay and it’s not in pain), then why does some pain require stronger medication like opioids?

Question

eli5: If all pain medication does the same thing (trick the body into thinking everything is okay and it’s not in pain), then why does some pain require stronger medication like opioids?

In: Other

Answer 1

Opioids work through something called GABA, a signal transmitter in the brain. In comparison, paracetamol (a mild painkiller) affects an enzyme called COX-2. It is much more complex than this, but these are the main differences. One «strong» effect, and one slightly «weaker». Opioids sedates the nervous system, and overdosing can stop breathing. Stuff like paracetamol don’t have those dramatic effects.