Pain threshold can be increased, and certain thinking patterns can buffer against the pain response through the release of neuromodulators like dopamine.

“Now, of course, pain threshold is something that can be built up, but it does seem that certain patterns of thinking can allow us to buffer ourselves against the pain response, and that should not be surprising. Certain forms of thinking are associated with the release of particular neuromodulators, in particular dopamine, and dopamine...”