Can taking or viewing pictures of your loved ones act as a ‘pain relief’; experts weigh in

We feel more relaxed and rejuvenated when we are close to our loved ones. But can even taking or viewing pictures of them help us feel better and even act as a relief? Citing a 2010 PLOS One research, a neuroscientist Nas Fatih shared that when he took a picture of his father over lunch where he was having a great time, it “warmed” his heart and helped him feel good. So, we turned to our in-house expert to understand how such experiential activities like taking or viewing pictures of loved ones as in the study help our emotional health.

“Yes, it is true. Experimental studies have shown increased activation of several reward-processing centers of the brain,” said Dr Sudhir Kumar, consultant neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

The study noted that when participants were asked to take pictures of their romantic partners, several reward processing centers of the brain got activated. “These areas included the caudate head, nucleus accumbens, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The activation of these regions was studied by functional MRI scans.

“It was interesting to note that in the same experiment, there was no activation of reward centers of the brain when participants were made to view pictures of equally attractive and familiar acquaintances (who were not their romantic partners),” mentioned Dr Kumar.

This type of pain relief is likely related to the release of feel-good neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and oxytocin, which are associated with positive emotions and bonding, explained Dr Pankaj Agarwal, senior consultant neurologist and head of the department of Neurology, Global Hospitals Parel Mumbai.

The study also underlined the fact that while the focus is on reward systems, it is certainly true that “the experience of viewing pictures of a beloved involves complex motivational, evaluative, memory, and other processes”.

However, it’s essential to keep in mind that this effect might vary from person to person and may not apply universally. “Additionally, the level of pain relief provided by viewing pictures of a romantic partner might depend on the individual’s emotional connection with their partner and other factors such as the intensity of the pain being experienced,” said Dr Agarwal.

Here’s how it affects your emotions (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Based on the study, Dr Kumar mentioned that it can be inferred that taking pictures of romantic partners can alleviate pain and can be offered as a non-pharmacological treatment for people suffering from chronic pain. The study also noted that a better understanding of these analgesic pathways may allow to identification of new targets and methods for producing effective pain relief.

It can be a helpful complementary strategy in certain situations, but it’s crucial to consider other factors and consult with healthcare professionals for comprehensive pain management strategies, mentioned Dr Agarwal.

 

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However, Dr Kumar noted that the better option would be to spend more time with the romantic partner rather than just taking or viewing their pictures. “But, if it is not possible to be together, then, viewing their pictures can be the next best option. There is a need to conduct more studies to confirm these observations in larger randomised clinical trials, before it can become a standard of care,” said Dr Kumar.

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