Actor Chris Hemsworth, the heartthrob Australian actor who plays Thor in the Marvel movies, discovered he has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. It inspired his documentary, entitled Limitless, which investigates how the human brain works and what we might be able to do to live better longer. I watched a couple episodes and learned some interesting facts about our minds and bodies.

One episode investigated pain and our responses to it. Hemsworth has been dealing with chronic back pain, and he wanted to learn how to better manage it, preferably without meds. In one segment, a technician attached pain-inducing electrodes to the stomachs of him and two friends. One at a time the tech gradually increased the pain level, asking the man to stop him when it became very uncomfortable. Level fifteen was the highest; the two friends each made it to level seven. Hemsworth tapped out at level three. The expert explained that when we get used to numbing our pain with meds, it becomes harder for us to tolerate even low levels of pain.

In the next scene, they put the three men in a room with a Jenga game. They were still hooked up to the pain-inducing machine. As they progressed through the game, challenging each other playfully, the technician gradually increased the pain level. They laughed at each other, screamed out in pain, and jumped around the table. When the session was over, the tech announced that they had all been able to reach level fifteen. The difference was the result of not having to endure it alone. With their focus on competition, laughter, and even screaming, their minds and bodies were distracted from the pain.

This study monitored physical pain, but clearly, emotional and spiritual pain respond in kind. If we are hurting and we choose to hide away alone, and bottle up our suffering, the pain feels much worse. When we share our lives with like-minded people that allow us to scream out and help us find humor in our pain, we can tolerate far more. The only potential addiction is the desire to spend more time with supportive people!

Escritura: Read Ecclesiastes 4:10-12. What stands out?

Llamamiento a la acción: Consider meeting like-minded people in our Bereavement, Separation/Divorce, and Hope & Healing programs. Together you will find peace and laughter again. See bulletin or call the Rectory at 845-279-2021 for details.