How many times have you felt relief after swearing choice expletives? This is especially true for relieving pain; a study by British scientists point in this direction.

The new study published in the journal NeuroReport confirms the age-old belief that swearing has powerful pain-killing effect. Some scientists thought that by swearing, the pain would be severe, as the person’s full attention is concentrated on the injury and its aftereffects. Sixty seven college students were chosen for the study to prove this.

The students had to immerse their hands in 41°F water for as long as they can endure the pain. They were divided into two groups, one of which was allowed to swear while dipping their hands in water. The other group was asked to repeat a neutral word like brown or solid. The experiment was conducted again with the groups switching places.

Instead of finding proof for their theory, they found that cursing group reported high endurance to pain. They were able to feel less pain and keep their hands in ice-cold water longer. Another surprise was that the difference in endurance was more pronounced in women than men.

Richard Stephens, the leader of the study, explains this difference between men and women like this – as women do not use strong curse words on a regular basis, when they use it, it carries more effect.

Dr. Doris Cope, pain researcher, University of Pittsburg, is finding the study results sensible. She explains that the pain you feel is a result of the signals sent by nerves and the interpretation your mind forms for those signals. The interpretation of signals by the mind can be controlled by distracting your brain with an angry outburst.

This study gives full reign to those who find comfort in cursing. However, Stephens cautions that you should do so when children are not around to hear them.

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