Question: What alters someone's pain threshold, so why do I have a different pain threshold to other people?

Jess Bean answered on 19 Jun 2013:

Someone’s pain threshold is the point at which someone feels pain. There are quite a few ideas why people feel pain differently so I’ll try to explain a few.

As a (semi) biologist, the most obvious answer is that the amount of pain someone can withstand is related to our genes (the genetic code that is passed on from our parents which makes our bodies work). Some genes can produce molecules (enzymes) that can break down the pain signals that are sent to your brain when you feel pain. In some people, the more of this enzyme that is produced the less pain they feel.

There is also the psychological argument – the idea of “mind over matter”. Some people might feel a lot of pain, but don’t say anything about it. Some people could be in very little pain but still tell everyone about it.

There is also some research to show that oestrogen, a chemical found in high concentrations in women can act as a natural painkiller. It goes some way to explaining why women can get through childbirth.