The article explores the physical and emotional sensations of being shot, based on accounts from survivors of gunshot wounds. Many survivors report not feeling pain immediately after being shot, but instead feeling a sense of shock and numbness. As the brain processes the injury, adrenaline is released, and the body goes into survival mode. Eventually, a burning sensation sets in, which is often described as feeling like a never-ending bee sting or intense heat. The severity of the pain depends on the location of the wound, the size of the bullet, and individual tolerance for pain. Soldiers who have been shot often report more intense pain due to the higher caliber bullets used in military warfare. Being shot in the head can result in a intense headache and a persistent ringing sound. The recovery process is often more painful and traumatic than the initial gunshot wound, with many survivors experiencing PTSD. The article highlights that getting shot is a traumatic experience that can have lasting physical and emotional effects.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. According to the CDC, around 40,000 people died from gun-related deaths in the United States in 2017.
2. Many people survive being shot, and their accounts of the experience share commonalities.
3. The sensations felt from being shot are connected to the location of the bullet wound, the size of the bullet, and the person themselves.
4. Many gunshot survivors remember the initial penetration of the bullet, but don't remember feeling any pain at first.
5. The lack of pain is also connected to the size of the bullet, with larger bullets creating larger holes and inflicting more pain.
6. The body's response to being shot includes the release of adrenaline, which allows the body to reach superhuman levels and maintain homeostasis.
7. The brain dumps adrenaline into the bloodstream, causing the body to increase blood pressure and heart rate, expand air passages to the lungs, and maximize energy output.
8. The burning sensation felt by many gunshot survivors begins at the point of entry and radiates outward.
9. Soldiers who have been shot may experience a more intense pain due to being shot by a higher caliber bullet from a rifle.
10. Being shot in different areas of the body can account for different sensations.
11. Surviving a gunshot wound to the head is not as uncommon as one might think.
12. Many people who have been shot in the head and survived report an intense headache and a ringing sound in their ears.
13. The recovery and rehab process after being shot can be excruciating and may take months to heal.
14. Many gunshot survivors experience psychological trauma, including PTSD, which can haunt them for the rest of their lives.