Crosstalk of Pain and Thirst Perception: A Brief Review

Introduction

Senses such as thirst, hunger, pain, and temperature sensation show imbalances of the internal state and have important implications for survival. Independently, thirst and pain perception create motivational states that organize behavior to fulfill the goal imposed by the perception, but little is known on how competitive these perceptions are when combined and the motivational states they create when experienced in unison.

Methods

A review of the literature was conducted about pain, thirst, and vasopressin. Specific inclusion was given to studies observing the association of pain and thirst together and independently.

Results

Articles that were reviewed were original research, reviews, and large clinical studies. Results from previous research show a relationship between motivational states, such as thirst and pain perception.

Conclusions

Thirst and pain are competitive motivational states that arise certain behaviors for a specific goal. Further research is needed to understand how these motivational states might be changed by one another.

Implications

From this review, readers can conclude that increased thirst can bring about greater pain sensation for given stimuli.