Answer this question to the best of your ability:
Can mindfulness actually reduce the perception of pain? If so, how does it do that?
Yes, mindfulness practice can indeed reduce the perception of pain. One way this occurs is through the activation of the endogenous opioid system in the brain. This system naturally produces endorphins which act as natural painkillers. Mindfulness meditation increases the activity in this system and thereby enhances the release of endorphins, reducing the sensation of pain. Additionally, mindfulness can also alter the way our brains process painful stimuli by decreasing activity in the sensory regions that are responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain. This reduces the overall intensity of the perceived pain.