Swearing (also known as cursing) can have a ‘pain-lessening effect,’ according to new study published in NeuroReport.

“Swearing (AKA cursing)  has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon” says Dr Richard Stephens “Swearing (cursing) taps into emotional brain centres and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why swearing (cursing) persists.”

The Ice Water Test

Enlisting the help of 64 undergraduate volunteers, the research team set out to test their theory. Each individual was asked to submerge their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear (curse) word of their choice.

The individuals were then asked to repeat the experiment, this time using a more commonplace word rather than swearing (cursing).

The researchers found that the volunteers were able to keep their hands submerged in the ice water for a longer period of time when repeating the swear (curse) word, establishing a link between swearing (cursing) and an increase in pain tolerance.

Fight-Or-Flight Response

While it isn’t 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. The team suggest that the accelerated heart rates of the volunteers repeating the swear (curse) word may indicate an increase in aggression, in a classic fight-or-flight response. 

What is clear according to the researchers is that swearing (cursing) triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too. They suggest that this may explain why the centuries-old practice of swearing (cursing) developed and why swearing (cursing) still persists today.