Swearing and Strength: An Unexpected Finding from Medical Literature

While reviewing medical literature for pharmacovigilance purposes, an unusual but intriguing finding emerged—swearing may enhance physical performance.

What the study suggests

According to a recent publication in American Psychologist, the use of swear words may lead to:

• reduced inhibitory control
• increased confidence
• improved ability to exert physical effort

In simple terms, vocalizing strong language during demanding tasks may help individuals push beyond their usual limits.

The mechanism behind it

The effect is thought to be linked to state disinhibition—a temporary reduction in self-control that allows for greater physical output. By lowering internal restraints, individuals may access higher levels of strength or endurance.

Practical implications

Although unconventional, the findings suggest that:

• verbal expression can influence physical performance
• psychological factors play a measurable role in strength output
• behavioral responses may have physiological consequences

While this is unlikely to become a formal performance strategy, it offers an interesting perspective on the interaction between cognition, emotion, and physical capacity.

Why this caught our attention

This example highlights the broader value of medical literature monitoring.

Even within routine pharmacovigilance activities, unexpected insights can emerge—ranging from critical safety data to surprising behavioral findings with real-world implications.

Conclusion

The study serves as a reminder that scientific literature can deliver insights in unexpected areas. Whether in pharmacovigilance or broader clinical research, maintaining a wide and attentive scope can uncover both critical signals and unconventional observations.

Citation:
Stephens R, Dowben H, Richardson C, Washmuth NB. “Don’t hold back”: Swearing improves strength through state disinhibition. American Psychologist. 2025. doi: 10.1037/amp0001650