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Why Acetaminophen Is So Confusing

A short recap of why acetaminophen (Tylenol) is confusing, cool, and fascinating. Personal bias, beware!

What‘s “a hard pill to swallow?” For me, it’s that numerous individuals cure headaches with acetaminophen, and yet, researchers are stumped by Tylenol's pain-relieving effect.


Some theories suggest that Tylenol blocks enzymes that make us feel pain, similar to how Advil works, and others indicate that Tylenol works on the endocannabinoid system, like marijuana. However, these theories are just —theories.


My preliminary, yet intellectually stimulating hypothesis is that Tylenol’s effects are due to both psychological and physiological mechanisms. Acetaminophen definitely has some physiological effects, given its severe pain relief. However, I also believe that because we are told Tylenol works, our brains follow these instructions, thus tricking us to a certain extent. Either way, these questions, and permeating uncertainty fascinate me, as do most topics in the medical sphere. After all, knowing how acetaminophen works will help create better pain relief medications —something we are all eager to see.


For more information check out:


VS. IBUPROFEN

Treatment of Pain: Ibuprofen

Our ubiquitous painkiller, ibuprofen is a “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug” (NSAID). It reduces pain by blocking inflammatory neuromodulators that would otherwise sensitize our nociceptors.

But, what about headaches? Headaches aren’t inflammatory? Interesting question... well, ibuprofen blocks cox and thus reduces nociceptors sensitization. This cyclooxygenase expression is especially induced by tissue injury

So back to how does Tylenols work? Yeah, no clue; it was discovered by accident.



Will you still choose Tylenol over Ibuprofen?

  • Yes

  • No





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