Various embodiments disclosed herein include methods of modulating the function of Zinc Activated Cation Channel (ZACN) in a subject comprising: administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective dosage of ATP, a purinergic compound, red or blue dye, heparin or heparin analog, desipramine, reboxetine, and/or tomoxetine; and modulating the function of ZACN in the subject. Various embodiments disclosed herein also include methods of treating a disease in a subject comprising: administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective dosage of a compound capable of modulating the function of the Zinc Activated Cation Channel (ZACN), and treating the disease.