Swearing Reduces Pain?

I’ve always felt that a good swear word makes me feel better. While I’m not one to cuss at people, appliances and bad hair days, well, I’m all for it. And it turns out I was right. According to a study reported by the Telegraph, swearing can actually relieve pain.

According to the story:

Scientists from Keele University found that letting forth a volley of foul language can have a powerful painkilling effect, especially for people who do not normally use expletives.To test the theory, student volunteers placed their hands in a bucket of ice cold water while swearing repeatedly.

They then repeated the exercise but, instead of swearing, used a harmless phrase instead.

Researchers found that the students were able to keep their hands submerged in the icy water for longer when repeating the swear word – establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance.

Pain is reduced as a result of the adrenalin released while swearing, triggering the ”fight or flight” response. The study demonstrates that swearing elicits both a mental and physical response.

”Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon,” said researcher Dr. Richard Stephens.

So let ‘er rip, just direct your anger towards inanimate objects.

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Read more: General Health, Health, pain relief, swearing

By Sara Novak, Planet Green

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Charli S.

10:20AM PST on Feb 28, 2012

As someone suffering from chronic pain I can tell you that singing also helps but what helps best is a good pain doctor and pain support. Sadly this is lacking in US medicine where pain doctors are routinely arrested and imprisoned by the DEA. The VAMC are now weaning vets off pain meds if they don't have cancer (like cancer is the only thing that causes pain) or greatly reducing their meds. I was living a better life before they reduced my meds to half.

send a green star

J.L. A.

9:31AM PST on Feb 28, 2012

Interesting.

Lost A.

3:26AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

It helps my pain!

Danuta W.

12:08AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

thanks for the article

Butterfly K.

10:59PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

Well as we see here they are fxxxxxg necessary!

Jane B.

10:49PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

I need more @%# quotes. It makes me laugh.

Michele W.

6:02AM PDT on Sep 24, 2011

What makes a word a "swear" word? I was amused to hear my friend, who had just painfully stubbed her toe, shout out the word "GAZEBO!"
It seemed to work as giving vent to her feelings, and she explained that she used it as her "swear" word when her children were younger.
It seemed to work for her, and certainly gave me a chuckle.

Tim C.

4:06PM PDT on Sep 22, 2011

KS G.

5:42AM PDT on Sep 22, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Sylvia R.

8:13AM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

Using swear words and disgusting words are ABSOLUTELY unnecessary!