Inhibitory synaptic transmission in the spinal cord dorsal horn use GABA and glycine as their principal fast neurotransmitters. Both of them open the Cl- -channels, which induce postsynaptic hyperpolarisation and impairs the propagation of excitatory potentials on dendrites of neurons. Immunofluorescence studies have revealed abundant glycinergic innervations in the dorsal horn. According to this model, inhibitory GABAergic and glycinergic interneurons in the superficial spinal dorsal horn are key components in the control of pain transmission from the periphery to the brain. The model states that a non-painful stimulation is felt as non painful as long as the synaptic GABAergic and glycinergic inhibition remains intact. A human study on GABAergic modulation of pain by benzodiazepines has been recently performed by our group and was suggestive for an analgesic action. However, these drugs cause sedation and addiction, which strongly limit their clinical usefulness. A pharmacological GABA modulation via the oxytocin receptor may be an attractive alternative, since oxytocin agonists are devoid of these side effects.