Nov 02, 2010
— read in fullSwearing prevents pain
Scientists have revealed that swearing can be an effective pain killer.
A team of scientists at Keele University made the discovery when they asked 66 volunteers to put their hands into iced water.
At the same time, the volunteers were asked to repeat one swear word from a list of “five words you might use after hitting yourself on the thumb with a hammer.”
The experiment was repeated, but this time the volunteers were asked to say one of "five words to describe a table".
The study revealed that volunteers were able to keep their hands in the icy water for longer when they swore.
Their heart rates also accelerated and their pain perception was reduced when they swore. It is thought that swearing triggers a "fight-or-flight" response, increasing aggression and subsequently increasing peoples’ pain barriers.
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