How Swearing Actually Helps To Relieve Pain

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tex
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How Swearing Actually Helps To Relieve Pain

Post by tex »

Hi All,

Ever wonder why so many people tend to automatically blurt out either an expletive, or a stream of profanity, as a response to some accident or other event that causes them pain? Maybe there's more to it than meets the eye. Though bad language is generally frowned upon by religions and public etiquette in general, believe it or not, scientific evidence shows that it can indeed help to reduce pain.
Bad language could be good for you, a new study shows. For the first time, psychologists have found that swearing may serve an important function in relieving pain.

The study, published today in the journal NeuroReport, measured how long college students could keep their hands immersed in cold water. During the chilly exercise, they could repeat an expletive of their choice or chant a neutral word. When swearing, the 67 student volunteers reported less pain and on average endured about 40 seconds longer.

Although cursing is notoriously decried in the public debate, researchers are now beginning to question the idea that the phenomenon is all bad. "Swearing is such a common response to pain that there has to be an underlying reason why we do it," says psychologist Richard Stephens of Keele University in England, who led the study. And indeed, the findings point to one possible benefit: "I would advise people, if they hurt themselves, to swear," he adds.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... o-we-swear

So when Tylenol doesn't work, we have at least one other option, and unlike most pharmaceutical analgesics, it almost surely works much faster. :lol:

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Martha
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Post by Martha »

That's very funny. I think my family would rather I took Tylenol, but if I ever swear, I'll use this to back me up!
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DebE13
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Post by DebE13 »

Can this be stretched a little further to encompass stressful situations too? My truck- driver's mouth doesn't always conform to accepted office etiquette at times. :wink:
That's interesting though since I've tried to use the "almost" swear words in an attempt to be more lady-like and it's just not same.
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Post by humbird753 »

:ROFL:

Very good! Thank you for sharing this. It could come in handy at times. I will forewarn my husband.

:smile:
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Post by GF-aka Oma »

Hahaha LOL If this bears out then I should have no pain this whole last month.
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Post by maestraz »

I consider myself an articulate,
fairly creative cusser. Last winter, cusswords worked overtime. This winter, given improved situation, a bit more mellow. Relief all around...
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Post by Joefnh »

Tex are you saying that if I say the word ^][%{#|+^%{]% that I will feel better....wow your right LOL.

It's interesting that they used the cold water test for the experiment. It was just a couple of years ago that the Mythbusters ran the exact same experiment with the same results. At least now we know where Mythbusters got the idea.

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Post by Lesley »

I am a potty person with a potty mouth, and have NO trouble swearing when in pain. I guess I'll never find out if it helps since I haven't dealt with pain without it in many, many years! [/quote]
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Post by Gloria »

Suze wrote:I consider myself an articulate, fairly creative cusser. Last winter, cusswords worked overtime.
When I first read this, I thought you were making crosswords out of swear words. LOL Now that would be a stress-maker.

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Post by maestraz »

Gloria, laughed when I read your post. Not only am I an inventive cusser, I am also a compulsive crossword puzzle person. I actually time myself on the daily crossword, stressing myself out a little.
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Post by coryhub »

:lol: English is my second language, cursing is my first.
Suze - I to love to crossword puzzle too but my latest addiction has been Suduko. Since I spend so much time on the potty I keep my Sudoka puzzles and a pencil handy by the loo.
Now here's a gross but necessary question. I have had such bad, fierce gas that it burns and feels like it's cutting me when I pass it. Anyone had similar experience? Any solution to these painful toots?
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tex
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Post by tex »

Cory wrote:Now here's a gross but necessary question. I have had such bad, fierce gas that it burns and feels like it's cutting me when I pass it. Anyone had similar experience? Any solution to these painful toots?
That sounds like a dairy reaction, (pardon the pun). :lol: Are you by any chance eating any dairy products of any type?

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by coryhub »

Hi TEX,

I like your latest quote about the skulls of gastroenterologists.

I may have been in denial about dairy. I thought I was doing okay with Parmesan cheese and eggs but I may have been delusional. I'll try cutting them out and see if that relieves my painful tooting. All aboard! Toot toot! :coach:
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Post by Robin »

Tex....You are my GOD!!! I have always had a garbage gums! In the last year my husband as been asking why its gotten worse (not that his mouth is any better). I guess I am going to email this thread! Thanks for this!!!!

Love Robin
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tex
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Post by tex »

Robin,

Maybe your enhanced vocabulary skills are making him jealous. :lol:

If all else fails, you can always point out to him that this f*@^ing disease is enough to make the Church Lady cuss. :lol:

Love,
Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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