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Can Swearing Reduce Pain?

Posted By Dr. Mercola | July 15 2009 | 613 views
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Bad language could actually be good for you. For the first time, psychologists have found that swearing may serve an important function in relieving pain.

The study 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  student volunteers reported less pain and on average endured about 40 seconds longer.

How swearing achieves its physical effects is unclear, but the researchers speculate that brain circuitry linked to emotion is involved. Earlier studies have shown that unlike normal language, which relies on the outer few millimeters in the left hemisphere of your brain, expletives hinge on ancient structures buried deep inside the right half -- such as the amygdala, an almond-shaped group of neurons that can trigger a fight-or-flight response which reduces sensitivity to pain.

Sources:

  Scientific American July 12, 2009
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Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

†The World's #1 Natural Health Website claim is based upon Alexa Natural Health Website rankings.

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