Trixie , Like you I dont completely understand how the brain works or dont work when it comes to pain releif ,however I believe that you do know what you feel and to sit around and suffer in terrile pain waiting for your brain to provide pain releif for it is not good advice. I say listen to what makes you comfortable not some convaluted brain chemistry babble ! Even the brightest among us dont fully understand the brain and pain releif ,or someone would come up with a drug with the pain relieveing abilities of opiates without the tolerance or dependance problems associated with opiates ! There is even some among us who's brains never did provide enough natural endorphins ,and thats why some first time drug users say they actually felt "normal" for the first time in their life after taking a opiate pain killer !
Take Care NicRic