Injured Once, Triggered Forever? How the Brain Rewrites Stress Responses

Injured once, triggered forever? How the brain rewrites stress responses

A wound can leave a lasting imprint—even after it has healed. A new study in Current Biology finds that past injuries can quietly prime the body to overreact and be more sensitive to stress, pain and fear long after the damage is gone.

Old Injuries Rewire the Brain to Feel Fear and Pain Forever

A new study reveals that even after healing, injuries can leave behind a hypersensitive nervous system that overreacts to future stress. Mice previously injured showed intense fear and renewed pain when exposed to a predator scent, despite no new harm.