Horn-Hofmann C, et al. - In this study, researchers for the first time examined acute alcohol effects on temporal summation of pain (TSP) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). In this placebo-controlled within-subject designed study, 39 healthy individuals were included and alcohol levels of 0.06% (dose 1) and 0.08% (dose 2) were targeted. Before and following an alcoholic or placebo drink, they determined TSP, assessed as enhanced pain response to 5 repetitive contact heat stimuli (threshold +3°C) and CPM, tested as pain inhibition when a conditioning stimulus (46°C hot water) was applied concurrently to a test stimulus (contact heat; threshold + 3°C). CPM boosted following both alcohol doses; the effect size was greater for the higher dose. Increased conditioning stimulus ratings were observed after alcohol intake however, these effects were not correlated with CPM, implying independence of these effects. Alcohol did not affect temporal summation of pain, and alcohol effects on pain threshold were small and limited to the higher dose. Findings suggest possibly the main role of an enhancement of endogenous pain inhibition in analgesic alcohol effects. In chronic pain, the temporary restoration of deficient CPM by alcohol may lead to the frequent use of alcohol as self-medication, leading to pain relief in the short run and alcohol-related problems in the long run.