Is it a "feature" that we become foul-mouthed when in pain? The Science of Insults and Words

The moment I stub my little toe on the corner of the bed, before my brain can even convert it to "ouch…", a "beep" escapes my mouth.
Even though my rational mind knows it's "bad language," somehow my body reacts first—.

An article in the British newspaper The Independent, titled "Are humans hardwired for 'cursing'?" reinterprets this phenomenon not as a matter of manners but as a survival mechanism. To give away the conclusion, it's not about advocating for abusive language itself. However, when dissecting why "taboo words" tend to slip out at moments of pain or shock from the perspective of the brain and autonomic nervous system, it becomes apparent that there are more physical reasons for our "bad language" than we might have thought. The Independent

1) "Dirty words" are a "reflex" that comes out before thought

What makes the Independent article interesting is that it treats cursing as closer to a "reflexive vocal behavior" than "language." Like screams of surprise, gasps, laughter, and shrieks, cursing can occur before consciously constructing sentences. The Independent

Normal conversation is constructed in the cerebral cortex (the so-called "thinking brain"). On the other hand, cursing is more likely to involve older brain networks, such as the amygdala, which acts as an emotional alarm system, and the basal ganglia, which are involved in habitual and automatic actions, as the article explains. As a result, signals run through the brainstem, causing the mouth to move before "thinking." The Independent

This quick reaction is the key point. Pain and danger often come too late if you "think first." Therefore, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system at the moment of shock, temporarily increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness, and tensing muscles to brace itself. Cursing rides on that series of reactions as "voice." The Independent

2) Why "taboo words" instead of just "shouts": The "word switch" that moves the body

So why is it easier for "taboo words" to come out instead of just shouting "wow!"?
The Independent describes how cursing is linked to "explosive exhalation" that strongly uses the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, even involving skin reactions (such as sweating). In other words, cursing is not just an event in the head but a bodily reaction involving breathing, muscles, and circulation. The Independent

Furthermore, the article touches on the flow through which "natural painkillers" like β-endorphin and enkephalin can be released via areas in the brain involved in pain regulation (such as the periaqueductal gray) and the pituitary gland. In short, taboo words might not only be a "release of emotions" but also a signal to switch to pain and stress processing mode. The Independent

3) "Does it really reduce pain?"—It's being seriously tested in the research world

Here's where it gets buzzworthy on social media. Many people think, "Can words really change pain? Sounds dubious." However, research has surprisingly accumulated.

A famous example is the "cold pressor task," where immersing a hand in cold water while repeating curse words reportedly increased the time one could endure the pain (Stephens et al., 2009). Increases in heart rate were also observed, suggesting reactions beyond mere placebo. PubMed

Furthermore, it has been reported that the more frequently one curses in daily life, the weaker the "effect" might become (due to the taboo nature being dulled by habituation). In other words, if it works, the "stimulus as a taboo" might be important. ScienceDirect

As a recent summary, a mini-review in 2024 organizes the research trend that cursing can affect pain thresholds, tolerance, and subjective pain assessments. PMC

A simple question arises: "Would a 'newly invented curse word' work just as well?" A 2020 study reported that invented "pseudo-curse words" were less effective as pain relievers than real ones. The taboo nature and the weight of learned emotions might indeed be the key. PMC

4) It's not just about pain: Could it also relate to stress recovery ("speed of return")?

Another important point in the Independent article is the perspective that cursing might also relate to "recovery from stress until calm." Immediately after shock or pain, the body goes into "combat mode" with adrenaline and cortisol. The problem is that if this heightened state persists, it can lead to other costs, such as impacts on sleep, immunity, and heart strain. The Independent

The article suggests, while touching on autonomic nervous system indicators like heart rate variability (HRV), that cursing might temporarily increase stress but could speed up the subsequent "return to calm." The Independent

In rough terms, cursing might act as a switch that runs the cycle of "raising and lowering" as a set.

5) The evolutionary story: Humans aren't the only ones doing it

Cursing is thought to have significant cultural differences, but the article also touches on sharp cries of primates, where "short, strong vocalizations" occur in situations of pain or threat. In other words, the voice of crisis itself is quite universal, and humans have layered "words (taboo words)" on top of it. The Independent

From this perspective, cursing appears not as a "vulgar habit" but as an "old reaction for processing pain and surprise with the body." Of course, in modern society, it can cause significant trouble depending on the situation and the person. That's why it's necessary to understand the mechanism and consider the "appropriate use."

Reactions on Social Media (from Overseas Forums and Social Media Posts)

Since this theme is "science × everyday occurrences," reactions on social media tend to be divided. Broadly speaking, reactions converge into the following four types.

A) "I feel it. It definitely makes it easier" group

On Reddit's science threads, as soon as the topic of research comes up, "anecdotes" quickly gather. For example, there are posts with themes like "the moment pain (or shock) wears off in emergency situations, the language becomes coarse," reinforcing the relationship between cursing and pain with "on-the-ground" experience. Reddit

B) "Wouldn't 'shouting' work the same as cursing?" group

Similarly, on Reddit, questions arise like "Isn't it the effect of shouting in general rather than cursing?" Indeed, if strong vocalization switches the body, the reason for limiting it to cursing seems weak. Reddit

Researchers are also aware of this point, and whether the "taboo nature" of cursing itself is effective or if it's just vocalization or distraction that works is still up for debate.

C) "Didn't MythBusters do this before?" group

It's a common science topic, but many people speak from memory, saying, "I saw that experiment on a show." On Reddit, there are multiple comments saying, "MythBusters did it years ago." Reddit

Such reactions occur because the effect of cursing "fits intuition." When in pain, it's common for anyone to relate to language becoming coarse.

D) "Where in the brain is it processed?" group (plus correction of misinformation)

In an old thread, explanations appear that cursing is processed in different brain circuits than normal language (topics like Tourette syndrome). However, comments also appear that this stereotype is rare, showing "corrections running" on social media. Reddit

Bonus: The Business SNS Vibe

On LinkedIn, it's interesting how research topics are transformed into "workplace commonalities." For example, jokes like "This is the 'secret sauce' for productive meetings" or comments like "I've been coaching leaders, and this makes sense," circulate with half-joking, half-agreeing tones. LinkedIn

So what should we do? (A realistic compromise)

Reading this far, one might think, "So is swearing good for your health?" but the answer isn't simple.
What research often deals with is "self-directed vocalization" or "experimental environments," and it's different from abusive language that harms others.

The realistic compromise is the following three points.

1. Don't overly blame yourself for "reflexively" reacting
   The fact that language becomes coarse at moments of pain or surprise can happen as a bodily function. The Independent's explanation precisely pulls this back from "morality" to "physiology." The Independent

2. Adapt to the situation to "neutralize" it
   In environments with children or workplaces, you can replace it with a beep