Our brain finds it hard to do more than two things at once, especially if it uses the same part of the brain. This is the case when dealing with pain and trying to concentrate at the same time.
We all know that it’s hard to concentrate and get things done when you have a splitting headache. Scientists at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf just published results showing the same area of the brain, the lateral occipital complex (LOC), is activated when we experience pain and when we’re concentrating. They zapped their test subjects’ hands with laser beams while they tested their ability to concentrate and accurately recall images. So the next time you really need to concentrate, remember to remove any sources of pain. Better yet, it looks like practicing meditation can help the brain deal with the pain and help the brain pay attention.
