Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Article Title

Treating Neuropathic Pain: Mindfulness Meditation Is More Effective Than Pharmacotherapy

Authors

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is severe chronic pain with no single source and, for that reason, is difficult to treat. I review two treatments for neuropathic pain: pharmacotherapy and mindfulness meditation. In pharmacotherapy, psychotropic drugs are the main form of treatment. Although it is currently the treatment of choice, relying solely on drugs can result in unwanted side effects, including drug tolerance. Mindfulness meditation, a therapy designed to help the patient achieve self-understanding and self-regulation, avoids these effects. For these reasons, mindfulness meditation should be recommended as an alternative to psychotropic drugs when treating neuropathic pain.

Recommended Citation

(2017) "Treating Neuropathic Pain: Mindfulness Meditation Is More Effective Than Pharmacotherapy," Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology: Vol. 12: Iss. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/intuition/vol12/iss2/6