The paper investigates the role of the endocannabinoid system in placebo analgesia, finding that FAAH substrates and low beta-endorphin levels are associated with pain reduction.

bioRxiv · Jun 1, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

The Contribution of Circulating Endocannabinoid Tone to Individual Differences in Human Pain Sensitivity: A Quantitative Sensory Testing Study

S.A. Fatemi, Spencer S. Abssy, Stephanie L. Bourke, Katherine Murray, C. Kyeremaa-Adjei, Liat Honigman, Nadia Mohabir, Christine A. Sexton, Matthew Alexander Cormie, Rossi Tomin, Isabelle Boileau, Lauren Yvette Atlas, David P. Finn, Massieh Moayedi

This study investigates the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and pain sensitivity in humans using quantitative sensory testing, finding no significant associations overall but a specific link between FAAH substrates and pressure pain thresholds.

Pain · Nov 24, 2025Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Subjective salience ratings are a reliable proxy for physiological measures of arousal

Georgia E. Hadjis, Lauren Yvette Atlas, Pedram Mouseli, Christine A. Sexton, Mary Pat McAndrews, Massieh Moayedi

The paper shows that subjective salience ratings reliably correlate with physiological arousal, supporting their use for salience-matching in pain studies.

Pain · Jul 7, 2025Peer-reviewedNeuroscience