#32: What the "Bleep": Can Swearing Actually Improve Performance?

03/13/25 • 21 min

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Swearing might not just be an emotional release—it could actually boost athletic performance and increase pain tolerance. In this episode, we dive into fascinating research showing that strategically dropping swear words could make you stronger, push your endurance further, and even help you tolerate pain more effectively. But is it the words themselves or their taboo nature that makes the difference? We explore the science, the theories behind it, and how this connects to the mind-body relationship we discussed back in Episode #5.

Dr. Bobby shares studies showing how grunting enhances performance in tennis and weightlifting, with grunting increasing ball speed by 5% and muscle force by 20% (study). But swearing takes things up a notch: in anaerobic performance tests, swearing every three seconds led to a 4.5% increase in power output, an 8% boost in grip strength, and a staggering 22% improvement in wall sit endurance (study). The research also links swearing to increased pain tolerance, with one study showing a 20% improvement in cold endurance when participants submerged their hands in ice water while swearing (study).

So why does this work? We examine three key theories:

Physiological response: Does swearing trigger a fight-or-flight response? The evidence says no—heart rate and blood pressure remain unchanged.
Psychological arousal: Some researchers believe swearing might activate the brain’s amygdala, increasing confidence and reducing self-imposed limits.
Pain tolerance theory: Swearing may act as a mental distraction, shifting focus away from discomfort and allowing for greater exertion.

Dr. Bobby even put this to the test in his own “N of 1” experiment during a run—grunting didn’t help, fake swear words did nothing, but real swearing momentarily reduced his perception of fatigue.

Takeaways:

Swearing during high-intensity effort can significantly boost strength and endurance, but the effect is diminished if you swear regularly.
The power of swearing may come from its taboo nature, making it an unexpected distraction that reduces pain perception.
You might not want to try this loudly in a public gym, but experimenting with your own N of 1 study (perhaps at home) could be revealing.

Want to push past perceived limits? Maybe it’s time to embrace a well-placed expletive. Try it for yourself and let me know—just don’t tell my grandson.

Live long, well, and powerful—maybe even a little more powerful with a swear word or two

Want coaching from Dr. Bobby? Information here

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So why does this work? We examine three key theories:

Physiological response: Does swearing trigger a fight-or-flight response? The evidence says no—heart rate and blood pressure remain unchanged.
Psychological arousal: Some researchers believe swearing might activate the brain’s amygdala, increasing confidence and reducing self-imposed limits.
Pain tolerance theory: Swearing may act as a mental distraction, shifting focus away from discomfort and allowing for greater exertion.

Takeaways:

Swearing during high-intensity effort can significantly boost strength and endurance, but the effect is diminished if you swear regularly.
The power of swearing may come from its taboo nature, making it an unexpected distraction that reduces pain perception.
You might not want to try this loudly in a public gym, but experimenting with your own N of 1 study (perhaps at home) could be revealing.

Want to push past perceived limits? Maybe it’s time to embrace a well-placed expletive. Try it for yourself and let me know—just don’t tell my grandson.

Live long, well, and powerful—maybe even a little more powerful with a swear word or two

Want coaching from Dr. Bobby? Information here

Previous Episode

#31: Red, White, and Blue Light: Healing or Hype?

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Does red light therapy actually work? Can morning sun improve your health? Do blue light blocking glasses really help with sleep? In this episode, Dr. Bobby takes a deep dive into the science behind light therapy—what’s backed by evidence and what’s just hype.

Dr. Bobby shares personal experiences, from childhood eczema treated with sunlight to his daughter’s improved sleep from morning walks, and unpacks the latest research on red, white, and blue light exposure. With thousands of red light therapy devices on the market and endless claims about their benefits, it’s time to separate fact from fiction.

Starting with the strongest evidence, Dr. Bobby explores how light affects skin conditions, depression, and sleep. While white light (and UV) therapy has long been used for conditions like psoriasis and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) 【AAD guidelines】, red light therapy is a mixed bag. Studies suggest it can improve wound healing 【Study】, aid hair regrowth 【RCT Review】, and even reduce wrinkles—but much of the research is small-scale and often funded by device manufacturers.

Deeper effects of red light therapy, such as pain relief for arthritis and fibromyalgia, remain controversial. Some studies show moderate pain reduction 【Meta-analysis on osteoarthritis】, while others suggest a placebo effect. And when it comes to weight loss or cognitive enhancement, the evidence is weak at best.

Finally, Dr. Bobby revisits the hype around blue light blocking glasses. While early studies suggested blue light exposure/protection might affect sleep, newer research, and expert opinion indicates that it’s not the light itself but rather the mental stimulation from screens that affects sleep 【Study】. The best solution? Reduce screen exposure and engage in relaxing activities before bed.

Takeaways:

Sunlight/UV exposure has well-documented benefits for skin conditions, depression, and sleep regulation. Morning light can help set your biological clock and improve sleep quality 【Study】.
Red light therapy shows some promise for surface-level treatments like wound healing, hair growth, and wrinkles, but claims about deeper effects, like pain relief or cognitive improvement, lack strong evidence.
Blue light blocking glasses may not be the key to better sleep—instead, reducing screen time and mental stimulation before bed is more effective.

Is light therapy worth the investment? Maybe. If you are thinking of spending hundreds of dollars, consider trying an N-of-1 experiment—track your own results and see if it actually makes a difference. And, as always, focus on evidence-based approaches to living long and well.

Until next time, get outside, soak up some sun, and take the Health Type Quiz to better understand your health type!

Next Episode

#33 Brain MRI: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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Summary:
What happens when you need a brain MRI—but the results leave you with more questions than answers? In this episode, I take you through my personal journey of facing unexpected MRI findings, the emotional and medical challenges that followed, and the valuable lessons I learned along the way. If you've ever dealt with medical uncertainty, this episode is for you.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

The Decision to Get an MRI – Why my persistent vertigo symptoms led me to pursue brain imaging.
The MRI Experience – What to expect, including the impact of claustrophobia and tips for managing anxiety during the scan.
The Immediate Shock of Results – Understanding what “chronic microhemorrhage” means and how I navigated the initial fear.
Seeking Answers – The process of finding a neurologist quickly versus waiting for a super-specialist.
The Power of Medical Conversations – How reviewing my MRI images in detail helped clarify what was truly concerning (and what wasn’t).
Lessons for Everyone – How to approach unexpected medical findings, manage anxiety, and make informed decisions about your health.
Practical Next Steps – From tracking symptoms to preparing questions for doctors, how to take control of your health journey.

🔹 Take Action:

If you've ever faced an unexpected medical result, take a step back, ask the right questions, and seek out the right specialists.
Interested in the six pillars of longevity and wellness? Download my free eBook "How to Live Long and Well" at DrBobbyLiveLongAndWell.com.

Live Long and Well with Dr. Bobby - #32: What the "Bleep": Can Swearing Actually Improve Performance?

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:02.483

What if you could increase your pain tolerance by 20% and your athletic performance by 8% ? But it would make you socially criticized . Would you do it ?

Speaker 100:00:16.134

Well , swearing every three seconds does both of these . Not just an interesting finding . More importantly , it tells us that we can tolerate more discomfort

Speaker 1