Profanity Can Sometimes Be the Best Medicine, Increasing Pain Tolerance by ~33%
www.psychiatrist.com
Swearing can reduce pain by triggering a physiological response, serving as a distraction, and providing emotional and social benefits.

cross-posted from: https://lemmit.online/post/5372002

This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/tyrion2024 on 2025-03-11 01:41:19+00:00.

Original Title: TIL research has found that swearing can reduce the perception of pain (providing a measurable analgesic effect) by as much as 33%. Because swearing is processed in so many different parts of the brain at once, it’s more effective than almost anything else at distracting from pain and discomfort.

  • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    1 day ago

    I work at a major airport. I’m the first person you see as you step off the plane. Cleveland can be cold, and so it might be 15F outside, but the plane came from Miami.

    There’s people stepping off the plane, onto the jetbridge, which is basically like stepping outside, except surrounded by thin metal walls. So it’s 15F in the jetbridge. They came from 95 degree weather. So they’re stepping off wearing thongs, shorts, skimpy stops, some of the guys are shirtless.

    And it’s the SAME reaction from every single person for 20 minutes.

    Person steps off. “Ooooh, it’s cold!” Person walks up the jetbridge.

    Next person walks out. “Ooooh, it’s cold!” Person walks up the jetbridge.

    Next person walks out. “Ooooh, it’s cold!” Person walks up the jetbridge.

    Next person walks out. “Ooooh, it’s cold!” Person walks up the jetbridge.

    Repeat this for 20 minutes straight. I’m at the point where I want to petition to legalize assault in jetbridges in Cleveland. Just so they can be like “Ohhh, it’s co—” BAM!

    They’re cut off by me hitting them in the head with a tire iron.

    HEY!!! DUMBASSES!!! BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR ON THE PLANE!!! OR JUST THROW SOMETHING ON TOP OF YOUR CLOTHES!!! YES, IT’S COLD HERE, BUT ALSO YOU’RE NOT HELPING!!!