Touch of Money Can Help You Resist Pain

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 7, 2009 8:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – The feel of green can make people more resistant to low-level pain, NPR reports. Building on earlier research about the psychological power of money, experts in China conducted a study asking subjects to dip their fingers in water heated to 122 degrees Fahrenheit; those who had counted money ahead of time felt less pain. "We think money works as a substitute for another pain buffer—love," says researcher Xinyue Zhou.

Zhou admits with a laugh that it's sad to think of money as a substitute for companionship: "All substitutes are sad," she says. Even reminding the subjects of cash 10 minutes after the experiment had an affect on them. "They said inexplicably they just felt stronger," says another researcher. "It is surprising. It still surprises me."

[Images (1)]

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Research in China shows that people can endure physical discomfort if they count money ahead of time. (Shutterstock)

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As far as your brain's concerned, money can act as a substitute for social acceptance, reducing social discomfort and, by extension, physical discomfort and even pain. - David Kestenbaum, NPR

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

wwwonderer

Aug 10, 2009 4:09 AM CDT

Big deal. Those researchers should get their money back. We've had this 'experiment' going on for decades. The more money that touched rich, greedy people (like Madoff, Stanford, etc.) made them virtually impervious to the PAIN they cause others. How many did Bernie have to emotionally and financially bludgeon to get that 3rd yacht?

cochiserocks

Aug 8, 2009 9:47 AM CDT

Makes sense - as the only value any currency off the gold standard really has is that which you choose to imbue it with. I'd like to see the experiment re-done with different currencies and find out which one made people feel best ....and worst. LOL

2-bits

Aug 8, 2009 1:25 AM CDT

In a metaphorical, henry kissenger-ish way.

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