February 01, 2008

How Scratching Works. A new study sheds light on the brain chemistry of scratching.

Why does scratching feel good? Why can't you stop scratching once you start?

posted by The Underpants Monster 16 years ago
  • *puts away two turntables and a mi-cro-phone*
  • Same study, but do it with these guys. Then you'll see some REAL brain chemistry.
  • I'm greatly attracted to Barbara Fritchie I'll bet she scratched when she was itchy -- Ogden Nash
  • *purrrs*
  • *hind leg starts twitching The "itch gene" is GRPR (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor), which codes for a receptor found in a very small population of spinal cord nerve cells where pain and itch signals are transmitted from the skin to the brain. So if we do a little genetic engineering, insert this gene into a bacterial plasmid, infect the bad guys, and then they scratch themselves silly, thus leaving them at my our mercy. It would be funnier with the tickle gene.
  • I'm a big fan of laying about, scratching.
  • *flops out across the couch and looks beseechingly at assorted monkeys, hoping for scratchin'*
  • Other way 'round, Speedlime.
  • I am shocked and dismayed that Baptists would advocate scratching -- isn't that a sin?
  • This is kind of interesting. I know from scratching - I've had severe psoriasis most of my life, which has meant that 1. scratching relieves nothing, or 2. I get to the perfect place where it relieves *everything* and believe me, that perfect place does feel orgasmic. Since the introduction of biologics (Enbrel is the brand name of the dug I inject twice a week) my skin is nearly normal, but I miss that great itch, which can be scratched JUST SO. Seriously, when I got to that JUST SO place, I'm as near to heaven as makes no difference. I almost miss it.
  • It's funny, isn't it? When I was little, I used to beg my nana to let me lean over her lap so she could scratch my back. Now I pester #2 to do it, it just feels so nice. Reading the article, I might be a hyperchondriacchronic itch person. I get itchy lower legs, especially at night, and often scratch until I bleed. Never thought much of it, so I don't know if it's normal or not. But that feeling of relief, oh yes.
  • reading this thread makes me itch.
  • goofy, that's a great description. I just started the injections last week.
  • I am currently in love with a man with quite long nails. I shall say no more.
  • OH YES YOU WILL!! CALL ME!
  • "But understanding how the process works could lead to new treatments. For example, drugs that deactivate this part of the brain might be effective." Why you no DEACTIVATE YOU BRAIN?!