Unleashing an unlikely source of inner strength: Swearing!

[Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 48 seconds.]

Introducing Go Long’s next special guest star

1st things first: Go Long is pleased to announce that Dr. Jill Rubin Silverman, a certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist since 2002, is going to be the next guest on the show. Paid subscribers are able to submit questions in advance so now is a great time to subscribe to Go Long (annual subscriptions are a great deal).

A bit on Dr. Silverman:

• She became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences at SUNY Farmingdale, in 2020. This was after being an adjunct professor for many years.

• She graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Binghamton University in 1997 with a B.S. in Biology and received her Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Columbia University in 2002. Her dissertation topic was on the association between lipoprotein(a) and heart disease.

• Current research interests are nutrition, weight, and eating behaviors. She is a member of the Obesity Medicine Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

And now for the study I have been waiting my whole life for…..

Since starting Go Long, I have definitely been reading my share of studies in the healthcare space. I can tell you that I never expected to come across something like this, but I’m not mad about it. Actually, I’m fucking delighted about it.

Much to Go Long’s chagrin, colorful language (aka swearing) often earns negative judgment particularly in professional settings. Talk about another taboo worth changing, but that’s for another day.

In any event, recent research has revealed that swearing might make you stronger. WTAF?

In the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, a study was published about 2 years ago discussing the link between swearing and physical performance. It explores the potential mechanisms behind this unconventional power boost.

While many associate cursing with negativity, evidence suggests it serves diverse functions. From alleviating pain to boosting social bonding, swear words seem to pack a punch beyond their abrasive surface. One such perk lies in the realm of physical prowess. Studies have shown that uttering a taboo word can enhance performance in tasks demanding strength and power, like pedaling an intense exercise bike or lifting up a heavy barbell.

“Are you one of those people who wants to lift heavy shit so you have more of an excuse to swear more often? Schedule a complimentary call now.”

Let’s get into some background on this topic

In previous studies, swearing has been shown to increase pain tolerance. One of the most well-known studies was conducted by researchers at Keele University in the UK. They found that participants who swore repeatedly while submerging their hands in ice-cold water could withstand the pain for 33% (!!) longer than those who repeated neutral words.

Another study, published in the journal "Pain," found that swearing can also activate the fight-or-flight response, which releases adrenaline and other hormones that can help to numb pain. This study involved participants giving themselves electric shocks while either swearing or repeating neutral words. The results showed that those who swore reported feeling less pain and were able to tolerate higher shock intensities.

[Go Long does NOT endorse testing out your pain tolerance unless under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. Please re-read that statement.]

This suggests that swearing can act as a distraction, taking the focus away from the pain and allowing the individual to tolerate it for a longer period.

[Side note: When I dunked into the Arctic Ocean a couple of times on our recent trip to Norway that swearing definitely helped “ease” into the frigid waters.]

What fuels this awesome superpower?

Researchers suspect it hinges on a concept called state disinhibition, a temporary state where self-control loosens its grip, allowing individuals to "let go" and push their limits. Think of it as a mental barrier crumbling, unleashing a torrent of raw power.

The study published in 2022 covers 3 potential ways by which swearing might trigger this disinhibition:

1. Your thinking is influenced by your emotional state: Swear words, with their potent emotional charge, could ignite the "hot" reward system in the brain. This system, fueled by dopamine, narrows attention towards desired goals, silencing the conflict-monitoring system that tends to hold us back. In simpler terms, the thrill of swearing overrides our inner critic, paving the way for uninhibited action.

2. Distracted focus: Swearing, like a verbal siren, can hijack our attention. This "distraction" effect could temporarily limit cognitive bandwidth, reducing the processing power available for internal debate and doubt. With fewer competing thoughts to contend with, the path to action becomes clearer, leading to a more decisive and forceful response.

3. Social desirability slip: Swearing, by its very nature, throws social norms out the window. This act of breaking taboo can momentarily deactivate the internal pressure to conform, removing the weight of social judgment. Unburdened by these concerns, individuals are freer to tap into their full potential, uninhibited by the fear of disapproval.

This study took the work that was previously completed and examined pure strength. Grip strength increased by 2.49 kg and push-up hold time increased by 2.67 seconds compared to the non-swearing subjects. It also found that humor was a contributing factor to strength improvements through swearing.

It seems as though a properly timed swear word (or words) may provide more biological benefit than just the emotional benefit associated with a blow-up.

More research is needed but we now know….

These paths offer intriguing explanations for the observed connection between swearing and physical strength. Future studies could employ validated measures of disinhibition and humor, exploring their potential mediating roles in the swearing-strength relationship.

So the next time you're facing a physically demanding challenge that you’re struggling to push through, consider unleashing your inner beast by exhorting a well-timed swear word (or words).

Looking for an excuse to swear more?

Get in touch.

Go Long can help.