
According to scientists from Keele University
swearing can be a powerful
painkiller.
Scientists
asked a group of 71 students to dip their hands into ice-cold water and hold it
for as long as they can, while swearing non-stop. After that the
under-graduates were asked to repeat a similar exercise, but keep their
language clean. When the volunteers uttered a swear word they were able to hold
their hands in the water for a longer time which proved that humans have
greater pain endurance if they swear. Swearing was 4 times more likely to ease
the pain caused by the icy water.
The research team believes that swearing triggers release of pain-killing endorphins.