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The electric shock that could cure a headache by releasing the body's most powerful painkillers 

• Electrical current alters speed at which brain neurons fire, relieving pain 
• Releases painkillers that have similar properties to opiates such as morphine
• Reduced pain of chronic headaches by 37 per cent over four weeks
• Long-term could reduce the amount of medication needed

By ANNA HODGEKISS

PUBLISHED: 07:44 EST, 4 January 2013 | UPDATED: 09:08 EST, 4 January 2013

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Scientists have managed to release the body's most powerful painkillers by running an electrical current through the brain.

The breakthrough has provided hope for sufferers of chronic migraine after it was found to reduce the pain of a headache by up to 37 per cent. 

The technique, known as deep brain stimulation, or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), alters the speed at which the brain's neurons fire. This, in turn, can relieve pain. 

The painkillers released by the brain were endogenous opioids - the human body’s most powerful, euphoria-inducing painkillers that are very similar to opiates such as morphine.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2257085/The-electric-shock-cure-headache-releasing-bodys-powerful-painkillers.html#ixzz2H9MM1QTh
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