Charlie Rose Season 11 Episode 23 Charlie Rose - Charlie Rose Brain Series 2 Episode 11: Pain (November 23, 2012)

Charlie Rose is a talk show that focuses on interviews with influential figures from various fields, including politics, finance, and entertainment. Season 11, episode 23, titled "Charlie Rose Brain Series 2 Episode 11: Pain," aired on November 23, 2012, and continues the series' exploration of the brain and how it functions.

In this episode, Charlie Rose talks with a panel of experts about the experience of pain and how it is processed in the brain. The guests include Dr. David Julius, a professor of physiology at the University of California, San Francisco; Dr. Clifford Woolf, a professor of neurology and neurobiology at Harvard Medical School; and Dr. Allan Basbaum, a professor of anatomy at the University of California, San Francisco.

The conversation begins with an overview of the different types of pain, such as acute pain from an injury or chronic pain from a condition like arthritis. The experts explain that while pain is unpleasant, it serves an important purpose in signaling danger or damage to the body. They also discuss the differences in how individuals experience pain, which can be influenced by factors like genetics, age, and gender.

The conversation then turns to the mechanisms behind pain processing in the brain. The guests explain that pain signals travel from the site of the injury or damage to the spinal cord and then up to the brain, where they are processed in various regions. The experts discuss the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins in modulating pain signals and the potential for drugs that target these neurotransmitters to be used as pain treatments.

The discussion also includes a look at the psychological and emotional aspects of pain, such as the impact of stress, anxiety, and depression on pain perception. The guests explain that these factors can amplify or diminish the experience of pain and that addressing them can be an important part of pain management.

Throughout the episode, Charlie Rose asks thoughtful questions that help to guide the conversation and elicit insights from the experts. He also shares personal anecdotes related to pain and expresses a genuine interest in understanding the topic.

Overall, "Charlie Rose Brain Series 2 Episode 11: Pain" provides an informative and engaging look at the experience of pain and how it is processed in the brain. The expert guests offer valuable insights and the conversation is accessible to both laypeople and those with a more scientific background. The episode is a worthy addition to the ongoing Brain Series and a testament to Charlie Rose's skill as an interviewer.