How Local Anesthesia Works

Local anesthesia works by blocking the channels for sodium ions (ナトリウムイオン) in the nerve cells.

Normally, when the body detects pain, sodium ions enter the nerve cell and create an electrical signal called an action potential (活動電位).

This electrical signal travels along the nerve and carries pain information to the brain.

Local anesthetic prevents sodium ions from entering the nerve cell, so the action potential cannot form.

Without this electrical signal, the pain message cannot travel to the brain.

As a result, the patient does not feel pain in the treated area, even though they are fully conscious.