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Hot Damn: Swearing helps to reduce pain says study<http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/politicalbyline/jlwZ/~3/cXF7xqyD6ps/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email> Posted: 18 Apr 2011 09:31 AM PDT Sweet…. Via the U.K. Telegraph<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/8458163/Swearing-can-help-relieve-pain-study-claims.html> : *Scientists from Keele University found that letting forth a volley of foul language can have a powerful painkilling effect<http://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/Abstract/publishahead/Swearing_as_a_response_to_pain.99989.aspx>, especially for people who do not normally use expletives.* *To test the theory, student volunteers placed their hands in a bucket of ice cold water while swearing repeatedly.* *They then repeated the exercise but, instead of swearing, used a harmless phrase instead.* *Researchers found that the students were able to keep their hands submerged in the icy water for longer when repeating the swear word – establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance.* *They also found that the pain-numbing effect was four times more likely to work in the volunteers who did not normally use bad language.* *The team believes the pain-lessening effect occurs because swearing triggers the ”fight or flight” response.* *The accelerated heart rates of the students repeating the swear word may indicate an increase in aggression, in a classic fight or flight response of ”downplaying feebleness in favour of a more pain-tolerant machismo”.* *The research proves that swearing triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too, which may explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and why it still persists today.* *Dr Richard Stephens, who worked on the project, said: ”Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon. * *”It taps into emotional brain centres and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain.* *”Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists.”* A couple funny quotes from the Blogosphere: *Hey, after all these years, I’m vindicated at last… — Joe Gandelman – The Moderate Voice<http://themoderatevoice.com/106984/relieve-pain-by-swearing-study-says/> * Amen, I’m with ya Joe. Not to be outdone, Doug at outside the beltway says<http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/swearing-helps-reduce-pain-study-says/> : *If this study is right, then I’ve got to think that New York City is the happiest, most pain-free, place on the planet.* Indeed, Detroit is most likely right behind it! [image: :D] <https://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/jXNeJv9aP8LF-e2tNFBiW8D2Gwk/eRhUPtkGvcqRAlmAVyYTmsGLrxg/0/pa> <https://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/jXNeJv9aP8LF-e2tNFBiW8D2Gwk/eRhUPtkGvcqRAlmAVyYTmsGLrxg/1/pa> You are subscribed to email updates from Political Byline<http://www.politicalbyline.com/> To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now<http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailunsubscribe?k=jXNeJv9aP8LF-e2tNFBiW8D2Gwk> . Email delivery powered by Google Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
