Buzzy uses natural “gate control” pain relief by confusing the body’s own nerves, thereby dulling or eliminating sharp pain. In the same way that rubbing a bumped elbow helps stop the hurt, Buzzy controls sharp pain. The premise is that when nerves receive non-painful signals such as vibration or cold, the brain closes the gate on pain signals.

The second part of Buzzy’s efficacy, and the reason it can help even when distant from the site of procedural pain, is called Descending Noxious Inhibitory Control, or DNIC. DNIC is another effective mechanism of pain control that uses the brain’s ability to dampen out unwanted signals. Instead of happening right where the nerves are, though, an intense degree of cold can work anywhere on the body. In scientific terms, intense cold activates a supraspinal modulation raising the body’s overall pain threshold.

On our blog, you can read more about Buzzy, pain relief, and find references to scientific articles.