Researchers discover profanity unlocks temporary superpowers

AI

Science has confirmed what anyone who has ever sworn at a stuck jar lid already knows: yelling a well-timed expletive can make you stronger. According to researchers, swearing helps people push harder during physically demanding tasks by lowering inhibitions, boosting confidence, and briefly freeing the brain from its usual social politeness patrol.

“In many situations, people hold themselves back – consciously or unconsciously – from using their full strength,” said Dr Richard Stephens, a psychologist at Keele University who led the research. “Swearing is an easily available way to help yourself feel focused, confident and less distracted, and go for it a little more.”

Previous research found that swearing could increase strength and pain tolerance in tests where participants repeated swearwords while pushing themselves to the limit, such as cycling at maximum effort or holding a hand in icy water. Researchers initially hypothesised that swearing triggered a “fight or flight” response but found no supporting evidence, such as an increased heart rate.

Instead, the latest research suggests swearing triggers a state of disinhibition. “By swearing, we throw off social constraint and allow ourselves to push harder,” said Stephens.

Guardian

The research, which subjected volunteers to chair push-ups while chanting either swear words or bland filler, found that people who cursed lasted longer, felt more confident, and reported slipping into a better “flow state.” In other words, profanity appears to work by briefly shutting up the internal hall monitor, freeing people to strain, grimace, and generally give fewer sh**s, a finding that will surprise no one who has ever assembled IKEA furniture without swearing and failed. Relying on profanity all day, every day, however, may have a dilutive effect.