How does cutting yourself make you feel better?

Opioids: Cutting stimulates brain opioid production, leading to a calming effect in some people. The same effect may be obtained in a safer manner by squeezing an ice cube.

A number of ways.: For some people, the physical pain induced by cutting distracts them from their emotional pain. Additionally, if a person is feeling emotionally numb- the cutting will at least allow them to feel something. It is not a healthy coping mechanism.

Cutting: For some it can have an addictive quality to it, in that to cut for some, feels better than feeling what can often be pain that defies description inside; an emotional maelstrom, if you will. And those who cut will do anything to avoid that internal pain when it gets bad enough.