Stories of Pain: A Neuroanthropological Exploration of Narrative in Pain Perception and Management

Abstract (English)

This project investigates pain not only as a neurobiological phenomenon but as a culturally mediated and narratively constructed experience, using a neuroanthropological framework. Through the lens of narrative identity and cultural models of illness, I aim to explore how individuals make meaning of pain through stories that are shaped by social context, memory, and belief. Drawing from predictive coding theory and the placebo/nocebo effects, I show how the brain’s interpretation of pain is deeply intertwined with culturally learned expectations. Pain, in this view, is not simply a signal processed by the nervous system but an embodied experience filtered through narrative and culture. This research bridges cognitive neuroscience with anthropological theory to argue that storytelling plays a crucial role in shaping pain perception and response. Ultimately, this interdisciplinary approach contributes to narrative medicine and promotes a more culturally aware and patient-centered model of care. By situating pain within broader sociocultural systems, this work also speaks to applied anthropology and global health, highlighting the need for context-sensitive approaches to pain treatment across diverse populations.