The process of using alcohol to deal with physical pain is a practice that dates back to ancient times. Alcohol-based herbal medicines were used in China as far back as 6,000 BC, thought to promote blood vitalization. In Ancient Egypt, wine was thought to be a renewal potion, a luxury only afforded by the wealthy. In Greece, Hippocrates believed wine could cure many ailments. 

Today, while our science and knowledge have become much more advanced, research has shown that just over one-quarter of Americans who suffer from chronic pain still use alcohol as a de facto way of treating pain. 

“With roughly 50 million Americans suffering from chronic pain, pain management has become a burden,” says Jan Wellmann, CEO of WaveLife. “Many Americans cannot afford rising healthcare costs and turn to ineffective methods of pain relief.”

Wellmann developed the Energy Cell to help people relieve pain safely and effectively. And while the product is based on decades of clinical lab research, building awareness remains a challenge—particularly when for many people, the alternative is a fruitless attempt at curbing pain with a method steeped in history. 

“In an age where many people are becoming increasingly addicted to painkillers, resulting in an opioid epidemic, natural solutions are even more important,” says Wellmann. “We designed the Energy Cell to address some of the core issues surrounding pain management today. It utilizes vital field technology to harness the naturally occurring electromagnetic vibrations in your body, allowing it to stimulate cell regeneration and heal quicker. This technology, which you can purchase here, is harnessed via a small, non-evasive EMF patch that can be applied directly to the area of pain—much like putting on a Band-Aid.”

There are several dangers associated with using alcohol to manage pain. One of the most obvious reasons is that it builds up a tolerance. Like many things, continual use goes against safe consumption guidelines, and the more you drink, the less effective some of the numbing side effects will be. This can quickly lead to an addiction, and this chemical dependency can lead to a slew of other issues. 

Alcohol consumption can also compound your pain by creating other complications. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol contributed to more than 200 diseases and injury-related health conditions, including addiction, cancers, and liver cirrhosis. In 2012, 5.1% of the burden of disease and injury worldwide was attributable to alcohol consumption.

Furthermore, with so many people using alcohol to treat chronic pain issues, there’s a chance they’re drinking in conjunction with other medications. This includes over the counter drugs like Tylenol. Most drugs contain warnings about drinking with alcohol, but many people ignore these warnings. In fact, one study reported that 42% of Americans admitted to drinking alcohol with drugs known to have interactions with alcohol. 

This can result in disastrous, and even deadly, consequences. For example, drinking alcohol with a simple aspirin can damage your stomach lining. Used in combination with high blood pressure medication can lower your blood pressure to extremely low and dangerous levels. And drinking alcohol with Tylenol can increase liver damage even more. Other combinations, like alcohol and Valium, can prove fatal. 

Times of stress and anxiety can cause even more people to turn to alcohol as a cure for both physical and emotional pain. For instance, research has shown that alcohol is on the rise as Americans drink more amidst the outbreak of COVID-19. According to research from Nielsen, alcohol sales were up 55% during the week of March 15-22nd, a trend we can expect to see as more people abide by self-quarantine mandates. During such tumultuous times of uncertainty, it’s no wonder people in the world are fearful, and as anxiety builds, many will turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. 

However, it’s equally important to note that too much alcohol consumption threatens the immune system. The more you drink, the more likely you are to get sick. One reason is because your gut contains an important microbiome that helps the body fight diseases. As you drink, the epithelial cells in your intestines become damaged, and your body has difficulty absorbing nutrients and balancing healthy and unhealthy bacteria. It also disrupts the gut barrier, making it easier for alcohol to pass into blood. 

As we adjust our lifestyles and routines to the coronavirus, keeping our immune systems strong is more important than ever. Take the proper steps to stop drinking alcohol. With this in mind, it’s critical that you take your consumption behaviors into consideration and be aware of the long-term physical and mental health implications of using it as a treatment for different types of pain.