Be cautious of experiences (chemical, physical, emotional) that cause excessively high, chemically-induced dopamine peaks, as repeated exposure can lead to habituation, reduced pleasure response, and increased pain perception, forming the basis of addiction.
If a painful stimulus is anticipated, prepare mentally for it between 20 and 40 seconds beforehand to reduce the subjective experience of pain. Warning too soon (2 seconds) or too late (2 minutes) can worsen the experience.
When entering cold water (e.g., an ice bath), do so quickly and up to your neck, as this is neurobiologically more comfortable than entering slowly or partially, due to how cold-sensing neurons respond to relative temperature drops.
When exposing yourself to heat, gradually move into it to find a safe and comfortable threshold, as heat is measured in absolute terms by neurons, unlike cold.
Consider taking Acetyl L-carnitine orally at dosages of 1 to 3, and sometimes 4, grams per day to potentially reduce symptoms of chronic whole-body pain and certain forms of acute pain.
Explore electroacupuncture of the legs and feet, as it can activate neural circuits leading to the release of anti-inflammatory catecholamines, potentially reducing pain symptoms and accelerating wound healing.