Your Brain Is Dramatic (And Your Pain Knows It)

When you live with chronic pain, negative thoughts can show up quickly and often. Thoughts like “This is never going to get better” or “My body is broken” are common—and completely human. But research shows that when negative thinking becomes repetitive, it can affect more than just your mood.

A 2025 study published in BMC Psychiatry found that repetitive negative thinking was linked to faster cognitive decline in older adults. People who tended to dwell on worries or replay negative thoughts performed worse on memory and thinking tests. Another study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that ongoing negative thinking was associated with higher levels of amyloid and tau—proteins in the brain connected to Alzheimer’s disease—as well as greater cognitive decline over time.

In simple terms: repeatedly thinking negative thoughts may affect how the brain functions and ages. Now think about chronic pain. When pain lasts for months or years, your brain shifts into protection mode. It scans for danger. It expects the worst. Repetitive thoughts like:

“My pain will always control my life.”

can increase stress, muscle tension, fear of movement and pain sensitivity. Over time, this can keep the nervous system on high alert.

Let’s try a shift:

“My pain has been persistent, but my body is adaptable. With the right plan, I can improve.”

This doesn’t ignore the pain. It simply creates space for possibility and progress. Chronic pain is real. Your frustration is valid. But learning to gently change repetitive negative thoughts can calm the nervous system and support both pain and brain health. If you need help navigating chronic pain, I am here to help.

Lauren DeYoe

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Reiki Master

Owner Reiki PT

Ye, N., Peng, L., Deng, B. et al. Repetitive negative thinking is associated with cognitive function decline in older adults: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 25, 562 (2025).

Marchant NL, Lovland LR, Jones R, Pichet Binette A, Gonneaud J, Arenaza-Urquijo EM, Chételat G, Villeneuve S; PREVENT-AD Research Group. Repetitive negative thinking is associated with amyloid, tau, and cognitive decline. Alzheimers Dement. 2020 Jul;16(7):1054-1064.