Swearing as a painkiller

Expletives may work as a painkiller, according to British scientists, The Daily Mail reported.

Dr Richard Stephens, the lead researcher, said: “Swearing provokes an emotional fight-or-flight response in the face of stress. It generates the pain- killing endorphins hormone. “This study shows that if people want to benefit from swearing they should save it up for when it really matters – when they are in genuine pain.”

“While I wouldn’t advocate the prescription of swearing as part of a medicalized pain management strategy, our research suggests that we should be tolerant of people who swear while experiencing acute pain. I occasionally receive letters from members of the public recounting episodes in which they, as adults, have been chastised for swearing during a painful episode. They feel that my research findings vindicate their actions.”

 

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