When you stub your toe, swearing might do more than vent frustration—it can actually raise your pain tolerance. A Keele University study found real swear words boosted endurance by over 30%, while made-up ones like “fouch” and “twizpipe” had no effect. Why this happens is still a mystery. What’s clear is that real swearing helps us push through pain in ways scientists are only beginning to understand.

Persistent pain isn’t just about the body tissues, it’s also about the brain’s predictions. Predictive processing shows us that pain is shaped by expectations as much and sometimes more than sensations. When the brain strongly expects pain, pain can be felt even without ongoing damage. The good news? By updating these predictions through education, mindfulness, safe movement, and context shifts, you can help your brain write a new, less painful story.

Nerve flossing, or nerve sliding, is a gentle technique used to relieve nerve-related pain by moving the nerve back and forth without adding tension. This helps restore blood flow, healing, and normal function. Research shows it can reduce pain and disability, especially for sciatic nerve issues linked to lower back pain. In this post, we’ll explore how to safely perform sciatic nerve flossing, with videos showing both self-guided and assisted techniques.

Modern life leaves many of us deficient in nutrients our ancestors thrived on. This blog explores my minimalist supplement stack, grounded in ancestral logic and backed by science, to support brain, muscle, and metabolic health. With no sponsorship, I explain what I take, why I take it, and how each supplement restores what our fast-paced, indoor lifestyles tend to deplete.

Can a common mineral help rewire chronic pain? A 2013 RCT found that intravenous and oral magnesium significantly reduced neuropathic low back pain and improved mobility over six months. Acting as a natural NMDA receptor blocker, magnesium may calm central sensitization—making it a promising, affordable tool in pain management. Explore the study findings and the neuroscience behind this overlooked supplement.

What if your chronic back pain isn’t just structural—but emotional? Research shows that suppressing anger can heighten physical pain through changes in brain activity. Two landmark studies reveal that unresolved emotions, particularly anger, amplify pain signals in the brain’s emotional circuits. But here’s the good news: through awareness and healthy expression, your brain—and your pain—can be rewired.

Early MRIs for back pain often lead to fear, overtreatment, and worse outcomes. Movement and education are the real keys to recovery.

Pain does NOT mean damage! Neuroscience reveals that pain is an output of the brain. Learn here why Pain ≠ Damage Makes Sense.

Can persistent neck pain be predicted—and even prevented—within days of an injury? Discover the latest neuroscience and practical strategies