{
  "id": 1767941,
  "title": "How Paying Attention to Pain Could Help You Heal Faster",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/how-paying-attention-to-pain-could-help-you-heal-faster",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-18T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nautilus",
    "slug": "nautilus",
    "url": "https://nautil.us/how-paying-attention-to-pain-could-help-you-heal-faster-1283936/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paying attention to one's own pain may hasten the healing process, according to a recent study. French philosopher René Descartes once posited that the mind and body were separate entities, but recent research hints at the profound influence of thoughts and expectations on physical well-being. Scientists from Israel have discovered that voluntary attention, rather than distraction, can significantly improve immune system function when dealing with inflammation. In a study published in Nature Communications, participants who focused on the inflammation for about 20 minutes experienced better immune system functioning compared to those who distracted themselves. This finding challenges the conventional belief that too much focus on an injury or illness may exacerbate the situation. The study's lead author, neuroscientist Liron Rozenkrantz, emphasizes that this effect is due to the distinct nature of voluntary attention, which can be consciously controlled, unlike the placebo effect, which relies on deception and expectation. By exploring the impact of attention on pain and healing, researchers aim to better understand the interplay between cognitive processes and physiological regulation, potentially leading to new ways to optimize health and well-being for everyone, not just those with specific conditions.",
  "summary": "Close attention might be part of your immune system The post How Paying Attention to Pain Could Help You Heal Faster appeared first on Nautilus .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}