It's Official: Swearing CAN Make Pain More Bearable

Friday, 14 August 2009

It's Official: Swearing CAN Make Pain More Bearable

I don’t really swear a lot except for those certain “excusable” times, such as when I’m REALLY irritated, frustrated, or in tremendous pain (ummm…thinking about it now, maybe I do swear more often than I think). I try not to swear in public (I don’t use extreme words though; you know which ones I’m talking about), and when other people are around me. But sometimes when I stub my toe against a door, or hit my elbow on a desk (these always happen to me , and they hurt soooo much!!), I unconsciously spew swear words. It actually seems to relieve stress whenever I do it, and lessen the pain of a stubbed toe or bumped elbow.
Well, apparently, I am not the only one who thinks that way. According to a new study, swearing can in fact make pain more tolerable (Click here to read the full article). Researchers believe that “the increase in pain tolerance occurs because swearing triggers the body’s natural ‘flight-or-fight’ response,” and also suggest “that swearing may increase aggression (seen in accelerated heart rates), which downplays weakness to appear stronger or more macho.”

It seems like now I have a good excuse for whenever I utter those “bad” words. I just have to make sure I keep mumbling them, so that no one can hear me.

Do you tend to swear when you are in pain or stressed? Do you think it makes pain more bearable, and/or relieves your stress?

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Comments (44)

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This has BEEN posted sweet heart.
- 8/14/2009 1:45 PM
- BunnyParfait@xanga (message)
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I invented a few new words when i was in labor with my son.
- 8/14/2009 1:48 PM
- spicycajun@xanga (message)
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cool.
- 8/14/2009 1:50 PM
- UnderWaves@xanga (message)
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Yea because you're more focused on how mad you are than the pain. :)
- 8/14/2009 1:54 PM
- hiiiilaura@xanga (message)
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ahha yea : P
- 8/14/2009 2:14 PM
- soberheartss@xanga (message)
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sometimes
- 8/14/2009 2:22 PM
- Peridot21@xanga (message)
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I love swearing when I'm in pain.. it does help.
- 8/14/2009 2:28 PM
- Nina1981@xanga (message)
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Abso-$#%!ing-lutely.
- 8/14/2009 2:29 PM
- LonerB@xanga (message)
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Thanks for the excuse! Lol.
- 8/14/2009 2:49 PM
- Complexitii@xanga (message)
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Yep.
- 8/14/2009 2:58 PM
- joyouswind@xanga (message)
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This must be why I don't feel.

Haha, kidding. But I do swear a lot.
- 8/14/2009 3:38 PM
- Murphy_Rants@xanga (message)
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Oh yeah, when I'm stressed or in pain, I can make a sailor blush. But I know for a fact that it works for me... except for that one time with the toothache from hell... but that's because the tooth was no good... Other times though, it does work so I'm not about to knock it.
- 8/14/2009 3:51 PM
- PiyoPiyo123@xanga (message)
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Sure, it compliments my loud screaming and running in circles maniacally in the event that I injury myself. Yeah.
- 8/14/2009 3:52 PM
- xa06@xanga (message)
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hahahaha, on a kayaking/cliff jumping trip last weekend, i stepped on a jagged stump from a small tree and screamed out "SON A BITCH! SON OF A F*CKING BITCH!" and my mom told me she never wanted to hear it again. guess i have reason now :D
- 8/14/2009 4:44 PM
- soyeahthatswhathappened@xanga (message)
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Once I had a teacher tell me "When you get hurt as a kid you get to cry. When you're an adult, you don't get to cry so you get to cuss instead."

See, it's being taught in schools so it must be true :)
- 8/14/2009 6:47 PM
- adept_of_chaos@xanga (message)
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Wow, that is so true! When I'm frustrated and the like I tend to swear a lot more and it does relieve some of that frustration inside. What I get hurt it does actually help ease the pain or make it seem more bareable because I'm getting out the pain through verbal words.

Haha, awesome.
- 8/14/2009 6:53 PM
- GieGieHeart@xanga (message)
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I must be invincible.
- 8/14/2009 7:11 PM
- razzle_dazzle_lip_gloss@xanga (message)
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I curse more than a sailor. Love it makes me feel better. all in all it makes me happy!
- 8/14/2009 7:38 PM
- PrinsesAna@xanga (message)
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When I'm angry I curse a lot and it doesn't really help me cool down. I usually have to just stop what I'm doing, take a few deep breaths, and then just think about something happy.
Swearing doesn't help with my physical pain either, lol. Sleep (I can sleep through anything lol) and medicine helps more than swearing for me...
- 8/14/2009 9:42 PM
- soniiuh@xanga (message)
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i've never sweared when i hit something, i automatically say ouch! but when i'm complaining to my friends, i'll tend to swear.
- 8/14/2009 10:34 PM
- xueyo@xanga (message)
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Ish sites are always so far behind. :/
- 8/14/2009 11:09 PM
- Vacantwhispers@xanga (message)
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screaming in general makes it bearable.
- 8/15/2009 12:20 AM
- cutesycharm@xanga (message)
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I learned this from Adult Swim.
Fan- f*%$king- tastic!
- Kunoichi
- 8/15/2009 3:19 AM
- PervyPenguin@xanga (message)
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Why yes I use "bad words" all the time...I can name 7 hahahaha!
- 8/15/2009 3:24 AM
- RedZeppelin6@xanga (message)
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i was glad to see this because i have chronic medical disorders that can cause severe pain and land me in hospital. i even know at times when they are about to do something tremendously invasive and uncomfortable at the hospital i say "ok, you should know right now i AM going to swear". normally though, i do not use those words unless i actually am in a horrible situation. thanks for the concept!
- 8/15/2009 6:38 AM
- eluvzmokie@xanga (message)
- reply