Expletives, taboo or bad words! Most of us let one rip in stressful situations, and studies have shown that swearing does actually help in those situations. Now, another research has found it to be effective in relieving pain, just as effectively as a painkiller.
Discover our latest podcast
Swear the pain off
About 12 years ago, findings of a research on the links between swearing and pain relief showed that using taboo words helps people tolerate physical pain as well as the pain of being socially left out. Dr Richard Stephens, senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University, Staffs, said:
Swearing is drug-free, calorie-free, cost-free, and side effects-free, so why not try it?
There are several theories explaining why this is the case. Some experts have demonstrated that swearing reduces our pain because it distracts us. Others have proven that because it is often considered funny - the F word rated in the top 1% of the funniest words - it distracts us from pain.
Read more:
⋙ ‘Enter and Cry’: Spain’s Crying Room wants to eliminate mental health taboo
⋙ Celebrities And Regular People Are Breaking Postpartum Taboos
⋙ Stress: 5 mental exercises that can instantly calm you
Backed by science
One particular research, published in Archives of Physiotherapy, tested one of the theories by instructing participants who use the F and S words, to put their hands in a bucket of ice-cold water.
The results? They were able to withstand the agony for 40 seconds longer than those who didn’t swear. That study concluded:
If words are the most powerful drug used by mankind, then the physical therapy profession should embrace swearing to change the way our patients think, feel and perform.
Using profanities to deal with pain has been so effective that the researchers suggest it should be encouraged during medical treatments. However, you should know it’s still considered inappropriate to use swear words to abuse others. The research clarified:
Patients should not swear at the therapist. Verbal aggression appears to lead to a high degree of distress among healthcare workers. Many factors will play into whether swearing improves patient outcomes — including the need for clinicians to have excellent relationship skills.
