Chronic pain is a hidden epidemic. It’s time for a revolution.

Can science finally bring us relief?

View in browser|nytimes.com January 18, 2025 On our cover this week: Chronic pain is mostly invisible. But according to a 2011 Institute of Medicine report, roughly 100 million Americans, almost one-third of the U.S. population, have chronic pain, more than have diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Globally, some studies put the number at 2 billion. The writer Jennifer Kahn has suffered from a long bout of unexplained chronic pain. She shares her story — and examines the new research that may soon revolutionize treatment. Marcus Schaefer for The New York Times Chronic Pain Is a Hidden Epidemic. It's Time for a Revolution. As many as two billion people suffer from it — including me. Can science finally bring us relief? By Jennifer Kahn 5 Things We Know About Chronic Pain After developing chronic pain, I started looking into what scientists do — and still don't — understand about the disease. Here is what I learned. By Jennifer Kahn MORE IN THE MAGAZINE Rena Effendi for The New York Times Syrians in Turkey Agonize Over a Return Home With the Assad regime out of power, millions weigh the decision to go back to their war-torn country. By Alia Malek Photo illustration by Ricardo Tomás Some Raw Truths About Raw Milk Despite the serious risks of drinking it, a growing movement — including the potential health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — claims it has benefits. Should we take them more seriously? By Moises Velasquez-Manoff The New York Times The Interview Curtis Yarvin Says Democracy Is Done. Powerful Conservatives Are Listening. The once-fringe writer has long argued for an American monarchy. His ideas have found an audience in the incoming administration and Silicon Valley. 52 MIN LISTEN David Vintiner for The New York Times The Interview The Outgoing Ambassador to Hungary Is Alarmed by What He Has Seen Ambassador David Pressman talks about his contentious relationship with Viktor Orban's administration and why what happens in Hungary matters. By Lulu Garcia-Navarro COLUMNS Illustration by Brendan Conroy Letter of Recommendation Fix Your Glutes. Fix Your Life. I didn't appreciate their utility — and paid for it. By Amy X. Wang Photo illustration by Alex Merto Screenland Luigi Mangione Isn't the First Accused Killer America Has Loved. He Won't Be the Last. The mythology of a dashing foe recast as a symbol of resistance has taken on new momentum through social media. By Joshua Hunt Illustration by Tomi Um The Ethicist I'm a Cyclist. Must I Wait for the Light When I Know I Can Safely Cross? The magazine's Ethicist columnist on the intersection of courteousness and lawfulness on city streets. By Kwame Anthony Appiah Illustration by Louise Zergaeng Pomeroy Judge John Hodgman Judge John Hodgman on Condescending Kit Kat Labels Can a candy bar's instructions be too paternalistic? By John Hodgman Stay in touch: Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. For narrated versions of our articles and more audio journalism, download New York Times Audio, a new iOS app available for news subscribers. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving The New York Times Magazine, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018