<unk>  is the study of the physiological mechanisms underlying<unk> -specifically its neural components- that implicate it in the reduction of pain perception.<unk>  is a behavioral method that has been used for several thousand years to monitor and regulate emotion and attention. Broadly speaking,<unk>  can be categorized into one of four modes (formal practices): focused attention, open monitoring, and compassion or love-kindness practices. In addition, there are sub-variations of each of the aforementioned practices that exist, such as prayer and zen. Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience that points to possible or actual tissue damage. The mechanisms underlying pain have been studied in order to develop methods to alleviate chronic pain. Research on<unk>  has shown that it involves specific brain regions that reduce overall pain perception. __TOC__
Meditation and pain
Pain and pleasure
Pain stimulus
Pain
Comfort
Anesthesia
Visceral pain
Chronic wound pain