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New research finds swearing can be really f—ing good for you

Published May 14th, 2014 1:22PM EDT
Does Swearing Reduce Pain

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Your mother probably told you not to curse but it turns out she was depriving you from some much-needed emotional release. Per The Daily Mail, a new study conducted by psychologists at Keele University in Staffordshire, U.K. has found that swearing when frustrated can be a healthy emotional release that eases tension and even make us feel more capable and resilient.

The researchers conducted their study by having test subjects hold ice-cold glasses of water in their hands. One group of glass holders was allowed to swear to express their discomfort while another group was strictly instructed not to use profane language. In the end, the researchers found that the group that was allowed to swear was able to hold onto the cold cups for a longer period of time than the group that was told to keep things G-rated.

“We want to use more taboo words when we are emotional,” researcher Richard Stephens told The Daily Mail. “We grow up learning what these words are and using these words while we are emotional can help us to feel stronger. Some words are more taboo than others – but the effects can be greater, the stronger the word.”

That said, the psychologists found that swearing is susceptible to the law of diminishing returns: If we swear excessively then the words we use won’t have as positive an impact as our brains will become desensitized to them. The lesson here, then, seems to be that we should save our foulest language for only when we really f—ing need it.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.