Cursing Helps Endure Pain: Study (VIDEO)

Katie Couric reports on a new study about cursing:

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Comments

[nofog]

WHATTA, I'VE BEEN SUFFERING TOO LONG, HERE I GO
$%^# ^*((&%%$# &&^%#*_*_ #@!^&*(*&*%^
THAT FELT GOOOOD

[instagladiator]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8147170.stm

Natural response

On average, the students could tolerate the pain for nearly two minutes when swearing compared with only one minute and 15 seconds when they refrained from using expletives.

While it is not clear how or why this link exists, the team believes that the pain-lessening effect occurs because swearing triggers our natural 'fight-or-flight' response.

They suggest that the accelerated heart rates of the volunteers repeating the swear word may indicate an increase in aggression, in a classic fight-or-flight response of downplaying a weakness or threat in order to deal with it.

Dr Stephens said the findings might also explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today.

But he cautioned: "If they want to use this pain-lessening effect to their advantage they need to do less casual swearing.

"Swearing is emotional language but if you overuse it, it loses its emotional attachment­."

Rohan Byrt of the Casual Swearing Appreciation Society said he thought the study was the first time swearing's benefits had been proved.

[DubyaGump]

Sure helps me when I'm in the Northern Virginia Traffic!

[shespeaks]

What a relief. I was afraid I was crude. Now I know I am just coping with the pain of chronic Republican-fatigue syndrome.

[Gretel1or2]

Not so much for labor pains or toothache.

[MJinCanada]

Oh, I don't know. I used a few words I normally don't when I was in the delivery room. I said a few choice things to my husband that he enjoyed for their creativity too.

[Rapid Ray]

Also works real well when...

...your favorite sports team is being trounced by their arch rival.

...address­ing the motorist who just cut you off. (This is often accompanied by a single digit response on one hand.)

...suggest­ing a course of action to someone you don't particularly care for. (Usually preceded by the words "GET" or "GO")

...discuss­ing your In-Laws.

[kejia]

I misread the headline:

"Cursing Helps Endure Palin"

[Shirley Fisk]

7/14/09
8:31pm
Sunny Isles Beach, FL

WTF?

[SlimPickins79]

I though this read "Cursing Helps Endure Palin"

[Perry Clease]

Well that would be a form of pain, excruciating pain.

[flurryup]

Cussin' has kept me from doin' time for several MFS!

[njb444]

SHlT

[fishbrake]

Hell yeah.

[obtusegoose]

That must be a typo. I'm pretty sure the headline should read, "Cursing Helps Endure Palin."

[arspar183]

i stump my big toe.......­son of ^%$4
i hit my thumb with the hammer mutha ^%$$$
i swallow bad tasting medicine &^%$$^
works for me

[StoicRep]

It depends on the mental state of the swearer - could ameliorate pain, or elongate it in time, all depending. Got that ? Verdammt!