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Fri, Aug 28 2009

Go ahead …Swear the pain away

36128_hammerandnailHere’s a study you can use.

Swearing apparently plays an important role in relieving pain.

The study, published last month in the NeuroReport journal, tested this theory on college students. Students are required to immerse their hands in cold water for as long as they could. While the hands were in the cold water, they were encouraged to either repeat a swear word of their choice or chant a neutral non-swear word.

The students who used sweat words reported less pain during the exercise and were also able to keep their hands in the cold water for at least 40 seconds longer.

While the study’s researchers are unsure how this works, they are now advocating that if you hurt yourself, then go ahead and swear.

So next time you stub your toe or hit your finger with a hammer, go ahead and swear. I’m sure you do anyway.

But at least you now know that you have scientific proof that swearing helps.

(image source)

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