Emotional support animals?

[Demonatrix]

Do you think emotional support animals can help people deal with extreme physical pain

Yes

No

[ScienceThumper]

First off, let’s take a look at a study published in “The Veterinary Journal” (Volume 165, Issue 3, May 2003, Pages 296-301) titled “Neurophysiological Correlates of Affiliative Behaviour between Humans and Dogs” by J. S. J Odendaal and R. A Meintjes. This study found that concentrations of β-endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, β-phenylethylamine, and dopamine increased in both humans and dogs after positive interspecies interaction, while cortisol (a stress hormone) decreased in humans only.

Now, you might be wondering, “ScienceThumper, what does this have to do with physical pain?” Well, my friend, β-endorphin is a type of endorphin, which are natural opioid painkillers produced by our bodies. So, based on this study, keeping pets (like dogs) could potentially raise endorphin levels, which might help in dealing with physical pain.

But wait, there’s more! The study also found that when a human strokes a dog, the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of the dog declines. This was also found to be true for humans. Lower blood pressure can be indicative of a decrease in stress and a de-stressing experience. And we all know that stress can exacerbate physical pain, so less stress could potentially mean less pain!

[RebelinSteel]

Yes very much so, it is pretty much proven that humans do get emotional support from Dogs, cats, and other animals. In the UK there is a working register https://www.esaorguk.com/DEFAULT.html

As part of mental health support an individual is able to be paired with a support dog https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/research

[FreyaRed]

A cat that urinates condensed morphine would help but I don't think effect of emotional support animals helps much in case of physical pain.

[DevikaButts95]

Physical pain? Not sure but I would wager no.
Emotional/mental pain? Yes.

[Sparkie460]

They make you pay attention to them and you don't dwell on your pain

[IslaTheWitch]

I know it