Oh @#$%! Bad Words Produce Good Pain Outcomes, Study Shows


The majority of us would probably confess to doing it in the heat of the moment, but now research shows that swearing actually works to improve pain.

Researchers Richard Stephens, PhD, John Atkins, PhD, and Andrew Kingston, PhD, all in the School of Psychology at Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, found that the use of profane language during a painful situation lessened pain perception, slowed heart rate and increased pain tolerance (Neuroreport 2009;20:1056-1060).

In order to examine the effects of swearing on pain reactions, 67 study participants were asked by the investigators to swear (they had their choice of profanity) while they immersed their hands in chillingly cold water (the cold pressor pain tolerance test). Participants were then asked to repeat the experiment, this time substituting the vulgar word or phrase with another, non-profane word.

The only participants who did not benefit from swearing during the cold pressor pain test were “males with a tendency to catastrophize,” according to the researchers.

The investigators proposed that the reduction in pain while swearing might be a variation on the “fight-or-flight” response, “and nullifies the link between fear of pain and pain perception.” This explanation fits with the results of previous research showing that individuals who feel they have taken control of their anxiety report being able to better tolerate the pain of the cold pressor test (J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2001;32:191-202).

I can quite believe it, though I suspect the technique wouldn't go down too well in your local hospital A&E department. It would be a question of being ever so polite and getting some morphine, or swearing your head off, being removed by security, and most definitely not getting anything close to a narcotic analgesic.

Having said that, when they did that nephrostomy, they did receive a few choice words, in rather a loud fashion. This guy sticks a metal rod in my kidney, pokes around for a bit, then takes his hands off it and announces, "It can't be hurting; I'm not moving it!" You know, like when you get stabbed it's totally pain-free once the knife has gone in.

But stub your toe on some furniture and by all means, let it all out. Assuming it's your furniture, in your house.

Nephro,

Simply thank you for giving me a much needed laugh today!!! I have found if you hit the furniture back as well it also helps...

I don't agree with swearing. It goes against my ethics. I prefer something more "Politically correct" like kicking a dog !!!

This pleases me immensely. I've always been excellent at letting the words fly and calling it venting. One must vent!
So far my dogs have been tolerant and it's probably a good thing I don't have a parrot because the bird would do nothing but swear. If it feels good, do it.

Ditto on that Nova.. Just thinking about having a talking parrot in our houses and having guest come over. I could just imagine. I have a bassett in my house and just looking at those pitiful eyes calms me down. LOL

Since the grandbabies are getting old enough to understand what "bad words" are, I have tried not to curse in front of them. But when they're not here and I'm already in pain, if I do something like someone said, stub my toe or hit the bed post on the end of my bed, I let it fly. It does make me feel better. The only time I feel bad is if I do it when people are around and I think it might offend them. I don't get offended when someone else curses because I used to cuss like a sailor, until I had my kids. K

Yeah I know. It's really hard to be friendly and in a good mood especially when you in a lot of pain. I just try to go somewhere else so I don't offend anyone. Then I sit and stew and cuz because the meds are enough.