Handling money could prevent or cure pain, scientists suggests. |
Handling a wad of cash may be as good at killing pain than ibuprofen or aspirin, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of Minnesota carried out a series of studies which revealed those who counted money before taking part in an experiment where they were subjected to low levels of pain felt less discomfort than those who did not. It thought thatfondling notes and coins helps ward off pain by boosting feelings of self-worth and self-sufficiency. Previous studies have shown those with a greater sense of self-worth may be more likely to withstand pain. Britain spends at least £500 million a year on over-the-counter painkilling pills and the figure is increasing every year. But scientists remain baffled by why some people appear to feel pain more easily than others. In the latest study, a group of students were asked to count out a wad of cash consisting of 80 one-hundred dollar bills, or just 80 slips of blank paper. They had been told researchers were simply testing their dexterity in handling the notes. Each volunteer was then asked to dip their hands into a bowl of very hot water, to see how painful they found it and how long they could last. The results, published in a recent edition of the journal Psychological Science, showed those who had handled money reported less pain and lasted longer. The results support other studies highlighting how the brain can be tuned to ward off pain without the use of pills. A University of Los Angeles team of scientists found just looking at a photograph of a loved one can also be a powerful form of pain relief. They recommended anyone visiting hospital for painful tests or examinations should bring a picture to help them cope. And patients who have had major surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement, can halve the amount of painkilling medicine they need simply by stroking a pet, according to tests at Loyola University in Chicago. (Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a multimedia journalist at the China Daily Web site.) (Agencies) |
一項(xiàng)最新研究表明,數(shù)鈔票的止痛效果堪比布洛芬或阿司匹林等止痛藥物。 明尼蘇達(dá)大學(xué)的研究人員開(kāi)展了一系列研究,他們讓研究對(duì)象在參加一項(xiàng)承受輕度疼痛的實(shí)驗(yàn)前數(shù)錢(qián),結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)這些人比之前沒(méi)數(shù)錢(qián)的人感到的痛感輕。 研究認(rèn)為,數(shù)錢(qián)能帶來(lái)自我價(jià)值感和自我滿(mǎn)足感,從而有助于止痛。 此前的研究顯示,那些自我價(jià)值感較高的人承受疼痛的能力更強(qiáng)。 英國(guó)每年在非處方止痛藥物上的花費(fèi)至少為5億英鎊,而且這一數(shù)字還在逐年增加。 但科學(xué)家仍不明白為什么有些人似乎比其他人更容易感覺(jué)到疼痛。 在這項(xiàng)最新的研究中,研究人員讓一組學(xué)生數(shù)一疊80張100美元的鈔票或80張空白的紙片,并告訴他們這只是為了測(cè)試他們點(diǎn)鈔的熟練程度。 接下來(lái)研究人員讓每位志愿者把手浸入一碗很燙的開(kāi)水中,以觀察他們感到的疼痛程度,以及能夠堅(jiān)持多久。 這一在最新一期《心理科學(xué)》期刊上發(fā)表的研究報(bào)告顯示,那些之前數(shù)過(guò)錢(qián)的人感到的疼痛較輕,且堅(jiān)持得更久。 這一結(jié)果為其他一些強(qiáng)調(diào)在不用止痛藥的情況下通過(guò)調(diào)控大腦來(lái)止痛的研究提供了支持。 洛杉磯大學(xué)的一組科研人員發(fā)現(xiàn),看看自己所愛(ài)的人的照片也能有效緩解疼痛。 他們建議,去醫(yī)院進(jìn)行痛苦的身體檢查的人應(yīng)該帶一張這樣的照片來(lái)幫助自己緩解疼痛。 芝加哥洛約拉大學(xué)所做的測(cè)試發(fā)現(xiàn),那些做了膝關(guān)節(jié)或髖關(guān)節(jié)置換術(shù)等大手術(shù)的病人只需摸摸寵物就能讓止痛藥的用量減半。 相關(guān)閱讀 愛(ài)情誠(chéng)可貴 金錢(qián)價(jià)更高? (中國(guó)日?qǐng)?bào)網(wǎng)英語(yǔ)點(diǎn)津 陳丹妮 編輯蔡姍姍) |
Vocabulary: ibuprofen: a drug used to reduce pain and inflammation 布洛芬,異丁苯丙酸(鎮(zhèn)痛消炎藥) fondle: touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner 撫弄 ward off: prevent from affecting you or harming you 避開(kāi) over-the-counter: (of drugs and medicines) that can be obtained without a prescription(藥品)無(wú)需處方可買(mǎi)到的;非處方的 count out: 點(diǎn)數(shù),逐一地?cái)?shù) wad: a thick pile of pieces of paper, paper money, etc. folded or rolled together (紙張、鈔票等的)卷,沓,捆 |