(Telegraph) From birth, we instinctively yelp whenever we are hurt.
Now, scientists say there is a reason behind our spontaneous groans as being vocal helps us tolerate pain.
In a study, 56 people were asked to immerse their hands in painfully cold water.
Those who uttered the word “ow” were able to stand the pain for up to three-and-a-half minutes longer.
One theory is that the muscle movements involved in making such an exclamation interfere with the pain messages travelling to the brain. Click here to read more.
