The overprescription and overuse of prescription pain medication have created a health crisis that continues to make headlines. Drugs like fentanyl cause tens of thousands of often deadly overdoses every year. The focus on those addictive and potent drugs may lead some to believe that less addictive prescription medications do not pose a health risk.
The use of any pain medications, including over-the-counter medications, can not only affect your health but also impact the way you feel about life itself. Pain medication can diminish your joy by chemically altering your brain and creating pain reliever side effects. The good news is that anyone can benefit from gradually reducing their dependence on pain relievers.
At Alternative to Meds Center, resources such as counselors, therapists, acupuncturists, and holistic nurses help us serve the complex population that we help on a daily basis. Our retreat-like accommodations in Sedona, AZ, are surrounded by nature’s beauty. Once you safely reduce your use of pain relievers, you can experience the pleasure that follows the restoration of your mind and body.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Prescription pain relievers and over-the-counter pain relievers are not only commonly prescribed but overprescribed in the US. Just over 22% of American adults reported using a prescription pain reliever within the past three months. 2 But you don’t need to have opioid use disorder to experience negative effects on your mood from a pain reliever. In fact, a pain reliever you can buy at any big box store can also cause issues.
Millions of American adults use a medication containing acetaminophen at least on a weekly basis. 3 Research finds that people who regularly use acetaminophen experience a narrowing of their emotional state, meaning they are less able to experience significant levels of emotions like joy. When shown photos that were intended to induce a strong emotional response, the group that regularly took acetaminophen reported lower levels of emotional reactions than the control group. The effects were described as a “blunting” of emotional processing. 4
Another study published in Nature raises even further concerns about the impact of painkiller use. Pain reliever side effects may also include negative impacts on empathy and social behavior. Research from the study indicates that even a single dose of certain pain relievers can reduce empathy in experimental settings.5
The research has yet to establish whether the changes are short-term or long-lasting. People who struggle with recognizing emotions and also use pain relievers might also suffer from impaired social functioning. Reduced pain sensitivity may decrease prosocial behavior, such as the willingness to help others. Ongoing research seeks to determine whether empathy and reduced prosocial actions also result from the use of prescription pain medications.
Research published by the National Institutes of Health also found that acetaminophen reduces empathy by dulling brain areas associated with emotional awareness. This includes the anterior insula and anterior cingulate. People who regularly used the pain reliever experienced a reduction in their ability to share in other people’s happiness. Participants who were given 1,000 mg of the pain reliever per day reported having less empathy and less personal pleasure when reading about topics that were intended to be uplifting in nature. 6
The Link Between Opioid Use and Depression
Of course, much of the discussion surrounding pain reliever use revolves around opioid medications. Regular opioid use can lead to depression and anxiety that can diminish the happiness and contentment in your life. Research published by Saint Louis University found that new daily users of opioids were 40% more likely to experience new-onset depression.7
New onset depression refers to the first occurrence of a depressive episode in an individual who has not previously experienced clinical depression.
The study included research into the most commonly used prescription pain reliever medications on the market.
Codeine
Dihydrocodeine
Tramadol
Tapentadol
Hydrocodone
Oxycodone
Pentazocine
Levorphanol
Oxymorphone
Other pain reliever side effects include symptoms of anxiety, which can also greatly reduce the joy people are able to experience. One study found that prescription opioid use can increase symptoms of anxiety. The analysis evaluated how different levels of opioid use affected the incidence and prevalence of anxiety. 8
Anxiety can significantly diminish the enjoyment in life by creating a persistent sense of worry and dread that overshadows everyday experiences. The constant state of alertness and fear can make it difficult to appreciate activities once found pleasurable, disrupt relationships, and erode overall well-being. Holistic treatments for anxiety include sleep management, dietary changes, peer support, acupuncture, and other effective and natural remedies.
Other Common Side Effects of Pain Reliever Medications
The negative physical effects of pain relief medications can also reduce your ability to experience pleasure and well-being. It is important to understand that this is true for both prescription and non-prescription pain relievers. Pain reliever side effects can include:
Gastrointestinal Problems
Regular opioid use can lead to GI problems that can be very uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. While the worst symptoms often end after a few days, GI problems could include constipation and uncomfortable bowel movements. In severe cases, constipation may require medical interventions. 9
Cognitive Issues
Many people who use opioid-based medications report pain reliever side effects that include a “foggy” brain. Slower reflexes can also result. People who use potent painkillers are often advised to avoid operating machinery and driving for these very reasons. 10
Unpleasant Drug Interactions
Opioids can have dangerous interactions with drugs that you are currently taking. Before taking any prescription medications, it is critical to fully disclose which medications you are on to your primary care physician or pharmacist. Even herbal supplements should be disclosed to prevent unpleasant or potentially unhealthy drug interactions. 11
Respiratory Depression
Opioids can slow breathing and lower blood oxygen levels. This symptom is one of the most dangerous side effects of opioid painkiller use. Around 80,000 people die each year due to opioid-induced respiratory depression.12
Hormonal Effects
Long-term opioid use may cause hormonal imbalances, particularly in sex hormones, leading to missed periods, reduced sex drive, and reproductive problems. Opioids can also affect the production of other hormones, which may cause fatigue, GI issues, and high blood pressure. Other potential side effects from opioid use include nausea, vomiting, itching, and low blood pressure. 13
Reducing Reliance on Pain Relief Medications
The team at Alternative to Meds Center provides a wide range of holistic treatments that can help reduce dependency on pain relief meds. One common treatment for people who are on prescription medication is medication tapering. This process is completed under the close supervision of a medical professional who gradually and slowly reduces the patient’s intake of prescription medications.
Medication Tapering
Medication tapering is more successful when combined with complementary treatments like neurotoxin removal, targeted neurotransmitter repair, counseling, and nutritional correction. The treatments are always conducted in a supportive environment that addresses the underlying physiological and medical issues, which is crucial for achieving and maintaining an unmedicated state.
Neurotoxin Removal
Reducing dependency on pain relief medications is greatly supported by neurotoxin removal. This important type of detox can help you begin to experience the full breadth of emotions that have been dulled through the use of pain relievers.
The process often begins with a lab test that helps our team better understand the body burden of toxic chemicals including drug residues and other pollutants that have accumulated over a lifetime. Exercise, proper hydration, and sauna treatments can facilitate the detox process.
Acupuncture
Ancient treatments like acupuncture can aid in the reduction of dependency on pain relievers. Acupuncture’s impact on the nervous system has been studied through brain imaging and measurements of emotional and behavioral responses before and after acupuncture treatment. 15
There are also potential benefits for the body’s connective tissues, particularly through the peripheral sensory nervous system. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, which may facilitate the stimulation of the brain’s emotional centers. 16 Acupuncture treatments can be customized to address your mental health needs.
Holistic Pain Management
Holistic pain management refers to the incorporation of complementary and natural treatments for the purpose of reducing our patients’ use of pain relief medications. Treatment options could incorporate acupuncture, exercise, massage therapy, nutrition therapy, and other options that we offer at Alternative to Meds Center. Treatments are fully customized. Our medical professionals always keep your comfort in mind when treating pain.
Residential Treatment
Pain relief medications can create dependencies that may require the use of inpatient (residential) treatments. Some patients can benefit from outpatient services that allow them to continue going to work and living at home.
Treatments can include:
Medication Tapering
Lab Testing
Holistic Pain Management
Psychotherapy
Adjunctive Physical Therapies
Creative Adjunctive Therapies
Ongoing Holistic Detox
Residential treatment allows our staff to be nearby 24/7, so you always have access to important medical services.
class=”white”>Pain Reliever FAQs
Pain relief medication can provide important relief following surgery. Recent research is uncovering the negative side effects of pain-relieving medications, including the impact those medications have on our ability to experience pleasurable emotions.
At Alternative to Meds Center, we believe that accurate knowledge about pain reliever medications empowers people to make informed decisions about their use or non-use of medications.
Do Painkillers Affect Your Emotions?
Painkillers reduce your ability to experience emotions. As described above, acetaminophen has been shown to reduce the emotional reactions of people who use 1,000 mg of pain relief medication per day. Opioid medications can induce feelings of depression and anxiety. If you are ready to restore your sense of contentment and other pleasures, our center can create a holistic treatment plan that helps you reduce your dependency on pain relief medications.
Does Tylenol Affect Your Mood?
Tylenol contains acetaminophen. As described in this article, acetaminophen effectively reduces the emotions felt by daily users. The direct cause is not fully understood, but acetaminophen may interact with the areas of the brain that are responsible for emotion. The good news is that ceasing excessive use of acetaminophen can reverse those undesirable effects.
What Are Several Common Side Effects of Acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen can cause skin reactions. Other pain reliever side effects include loss of appetite, fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. More serious complications that can result from regular acetaminophen use include liver damage and severe skin reactions. 14
What Is the Strongest Painkiller?
The strongest painkillers are available through prescription only. Fentanyl is one of the most potent painkillers available. It is around 100 times stronger than morphine and is used in cases of severe pain — often for patients with advanced cancer or recovering from surgery. Drugs that are highly potent often carry a high risk of addiction and overdose.
What Is a Good Way to Reduce the Use of Oxycodone?
Due to its high potency, oxycodone is categorized as a Schedule II drug. Ceasing the use of oxycodone can lead to a deficiency in natural pain-controlling endorphins. This can lead to both physical discomfort and heightened emotional sensitivity. Recovery requires time for the body to restore normal endorphin levels. At the Alternative to Meds Center, our programs support this process with orthomolecular medicine.
Are Pain Relievers Bad for Your Health?
When used in minimal amounts and under the supervision of a medical professional, over-the-counter pain relievers have a low risk of causing serious health problems. Meanwhile, opioids have the potential to cause severe health issues. While many people are aware of the potential for pain relief medications to cause dependence, the general population is less aware of how pain relief medications can reduce emotional sensations.
What Are Some Effective Alternatives to Pain Relievers?
Living free from medications can have many health benefits, including an increase in pleasurable feelings like joy. It is important to reduce dependency on medications gradually. To complement the process of drug tapering, our center offers a wide range of holistic and safe treatment alternatives to pain relievers that include personal counseling, physical exercise, peer support, acupuncture, detox, spa services, and therapeutic massage.
Schedule Your Alternative to Meds Center Consultation
At Alternative to Meds, we provide supportive services to people who wish to reduce and eventually eliminate their use of medications. While some medications, such as meds for heart conditions, provide life-saving benefits and should be used as directed, other medications can be gradually and safely replaced with holistic pain reliever medications.
The benefits of using our program include health benefits as well as increases in feelings of enjoyment of life and well-being. If you are ready to live free from dependency on prescription drugs, we can guide you through that journey. Our skilled team has been carefully chosen to support the treatment of addiction and all medication withdrawals.
Take the first step toward being free from pain reliever side effects. Schedule your consultation by contacting our office online. One of our Admission Representatives will respond as soon as possible.
13. de Vries F, Bruin M, Lobatto DJ, Dekkers OM, Schoones JW, van Furth WR, Pereira AM, Karavitaki N, Biermasz NR, Zamanipoor Najafabad AH. Opioids and Their Endocrine Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 105, Issue 4, 1020–1029. April 2020. [Cited 2024, Aug 21]
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Lyle Murphy is the founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, a licensed residential program that helps people overcome dependence on psychiatric medication and addiction issues using holistic and psychotherapeutic methods.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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