Ellepleksi

Ellepleksi is a rare and poorly understood psychological phenomenon in which an individual suddenly forgets their pain or injury and experiences no pain or discomfort associated with it. The word "ellepleksi" is derived from the Greek words "ellen" meaning "to forget" and "pleksis" meaning "twisting" or "turning".

The phenomenon is also sometimes referred to as "negative pain" or "pain asymbolia". Ellepleksi was first described by Henry Head and Theodore Blumer in the 1918 paper "Studies in Neuroses and Pain", where they documented cases of soldiers who suffered from severe injuries without experiencing pain.

Research into ellepleksi is limited, and its causes and mechanisms are not well understood. However, it is thought to be associated with specific neurological and psychological factors, including damage to certain areas of the brain and the presence of certain psychological conditions such as dissociation. Ellepleksi can vary in severity and duration, and can be temporary or persistent.

Some studies suggest that ellepleksi may be caused by alterations in pain processing in the brain, possibly due to changes in how the brain processes and interprets sensory information. However, more research is needed to fully understand the causes and mechanisms of this phenomenon. Ellepleksi is often seen as a fascinating but rare example of the complexities of pain perception and the brain's ability to process and interpret sensory information.

The phenomenon is relatively rare and is thought to be much less common than the more well-known condition of miraculous pain relief known as "PNI" or Placebo-Induced Neurological Innovations.