Brain Hurt or Pain

Does the brain know the difference between hurt and pain?

This is a complex question! In the English Language, the words hurt, and pain are not only used as synonyms but also as nouns, verbs, or adjectives. If I use the words as nouns and define hurt as a social injury and pain as a physical injury, then my brain’s opinion is that the brain may know the difference—since it does not process physical and social injuries identically. There is some differentiation in the brain between where pain versus hurt is decoded. However, brain imaging studies have shown that there is also some overlap between the two regions, meaning that a social hurt may be perceived as a physical pain. Social hurt and physical pain both create discomfort. A broken heart may ache as much as a broken bone.