Prompt #9 - Recognizing Significance

Psychology is at times misrepresented or misinterpreted and can confuse people of what the importance of the field is. Psychology, by definition, is "the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context" (Google). So knowing that we can find what significance has come out of the field and into the existing world.

A study on prescription painkillers and chronic pain surfaced the web last year in May. The research team gave morphine to rats for five days, and after those days were up resulted in the evidence. The team found that "opioid use increases chronic pain in rats," suggesting that if the same result is true for humans, opioids are rigorously addictive and worsen the condition rather than helping it. "We found that the treatment was contributing to the problem," said Research Professor Peter Grace.

Photo: Henry Kotula

This study and research does not just come naturally, this was a find from a specific team tasked with finding the psychological and psychical effects of opioid use on rats. Now that can link chronic pain with opioid use in rats, we can begin the study looking for the same results in humans and other animals. If there is such of a connection, we would have evidence, understanding of it, and how to counter the effects all because of a little curiosity of what opioids do to rats.

The work done in psychology benefits several aspects of life including health, relationships, happiness, and more. The insight that previous research has given us helps us understand how the body and mind works and how it reacts to things. It also helps with psychological illnesses, giving doctors a chance to develop medicine and cures for patients. Psychology offers more to the world than what's understood of it. When we take time to understand our own mind and bodies, then we can learn how to treat and handle it better.

by Lucas W.

Works Cited:

Carter, David. "Why is psychology important? - Quora." 23 September 2015. https://www.quora.com/Why-is-psychology-important-1

DiSalvo, David. "Prescription Painkillers May Worsen And Lengthen Chronic Pain." 30 May 2016. https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2016/05/30/prescription-pain-killers-may-worsen-and-lengthen-chronic-pain/#65bf5537eeb4