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Beyond the sting of paper cuts, the world of pain holds a wealth of strange and fascinating truths. From the terrifying effects of the most poisonous plant to why flesh-eating bacteria bring such intense suffering, and even a family immune to pain, the realm of agony also has its surprising side. Some forms of pain can feel oddly satisfying, and there’s even a walk that’s more famous (and more debilitating) than fire walking.
The strange world of pain doesn’t stop there. There are individuals who feel the pain of others, experiments that simulate torment, and even robots being trained to experience pain.
10. Financial Woes Induce Physical Pain
In recent times, a curious pattern has emerged: as financial insecurity increases, so do reports of physical discomfort. To explore this connection, researchers analyzed numerous studies, examining the lives, anxieties, and pain levels of thousands of individuals in a comprehensive project.
The studies were split into six different groups, each using unique methods, yet all reached the same result: financial insecurity causes physical pain. Through online surveys, consumer panels, and laboratory experiments, participants answered questions about their finances, unemployment, and painkiller use. Some even went through painful tests.
In 2016, findings revealed that stress arose when people faced low income or feared an uncertain future, or when they felt a lack of control over their lives. Anxiety activates similar neural pathways as those that cause pain, which could explain why those experiencing financial hardship were more likely to purchase painkillers than those feeling secure.
9. Why Some People Find Pain Pleasurable
Some individuals love consuming incredibly hot chilies that leave their sinuses burning, while others find pleasure in painful sexual experiences. In 2013, researchers set out to understand why pain could feel pleasurable. They recruited 18 volunteers willing to endure discomfort. The participants were subjected to two tests and warned before their arms were exposed to burning sensations.
The first test only exposed participants to a mild heat level—comparable to holding a very hot mug, causing no pain. During the second test, they were either mildly stung (at the same level as the hot mug) or given severe burns. Volunteers rated the 'mug' heat as more uncomfortable during the first test but found it pleasurable in the second.
To explore this shift, researchers examined MRI scans taken during both tests. The participants' brain activity was monitored throughout. Surprisingly, when the volunteers realized they had avoided a more intense pain (like the severe burn), their brain reduced the pain-related activity and activated the areas linked to pain relief and pleasure.
This explains why the mild discomfort from the first test seemed pleasurable in the second. After anticipating more intense pain, the relief they felt made the lesser burn feel surprisingly enjoyable.
8. Hijacked Pain Receptors
Various strains of bacteria are responsible for the horrifying 'flesh-eating disease,' but *Streptococcus pyogenes* is the most prevalent. Officially named necrotizing fasciitis, this deadly infection carries a high fatality rate. One would expect such a gruesome condition to cause severe pain, and indeed it does. The real cause of this excruciating agony was discovered in 2018, and it’s a chilling revelation.
With a sinister cunning, the bacteria seizes control of the victim’s pain receptors to evade the immune system. This begins in the early stages of infection when *S. pyogenes* releases a toxin. The toxin manipulates neurons to trigger pain and also produces a peptide that prevents the immune system from attacking the bacteria, allowing the infection to thrive.
Surprisingly, a beauty treatment might offer some hope. Scientists turned to Botox (Botulinum toxin), typically used to smooth wrinkles. In infected mice, Botox blocked the manipulated nerve signals from interfering with the immune system.
7. Swearing Acts As A Painkiller
Every language has one thing in common—vulgar words. Swearing has existed since ancient times, and there’s a fascinating reason for its enduring presence. Cursing, a common reaction to pain, actually enhances pain tolerance.
In 2009, scientists cautiously explored the possibility. Given that sailor talk often exaggerates pain, they initially thought it would lower pain tolerance. About 64 volunteers agreed to test the theory. Their task was simple: hold their hands in ice-cold water for as long as they could.
During the first trial, the participants swore like sailors. In the second trial, they had to repeat a word used to describe a table, something neutral like 'wooden' or 'furniture.' To the surprise of the researchers, cursing enabled the participants to keep their hands submerged in the icy water for a longer time.
A plausible explanation is that swearing acts as an aggressive response, triggering the fight-or-flight mechanism, a survival instinct that helps individuals endure pain more effectively.
6. The Thermal Grill Illusion Twist
The thermal grill illusion is a pain experiment in which a volunteer’s middle finger is cooled to around 20 degrees Celsius (68 °F), while the index and ring fingers are heated to 40 degrees Celsius (104 °F).
This combination creates a burning sensation in the middle finger. The illusion occurs because the brain struggles to process signals from three fingers at once, each sending different messages about pain and temperature. The 'heat' in the cold finger arises when the warmer outer fingers block the cooling receptors in the skin, which usually help reduce pain. Overloaded by these conflicting signals, the brain interprets the cold middle finger as burning.
In 2015, researchers discovered that the brain also became disoriented when volunteers crossed their fingers. When the middle finger crossed over the index, the burning sensation diminished. But when the index finger was cooled, and the middle and ring fingers received heat, the burning sensation intensified again as the middle finger crossed back over the index.
5. Mirror-Touch Synesthesia
Human senses sometimes overlap in a phenomenon known as synesthesia. Some individuals can taste words, while others might experience colors when hearing sounds or reading text.
A pain-related form of this is called mirror-touch synesthesia. When someone is touched, it activates certain areas of the brain. This is typical for everyone. However, those with mirror-touch synesthesia experience this sensation more intensely—they actually feel the touch they observe.
When witnessing a couple share a kiss, their lips might experience a tingling sensation. While some pleasant feelings are part of this sensory overlap, this type of synesthesia is arguably the most painful. Even watching violent movies can become an intensely difficult experience for those affected.
In 2007, a fascinating study revealed an intriguing discovery. Researchers asked individuals with mirror-touch synesthesia to complete a questionnaire designed to measure empathy. Not only did they score higher than those without the condition, but they were nearly super-empathetic, displaying an unusually profound ability to empathize and understand others' emotions.
4. The World’s Most Painful Plant
Forget about keeping a gympie bush as a houseplant. This is no ordinary shrub. Native to the Australian rainforests, this plant towers taller than a man and boasts furry leaves that, despite their soft appearance, tempt you to touch them.
Bad move. The hairs on this plant are loaded with a mysterious poison. Once touched, they release excruciating pain.
A man stung by the plant in 1941 had to be restrained in a hospital for three weeks. Another person, unable to bear the pain, took his own life. A scientist who experienced the sting described it as though he were simultaneously burned by acid and electrocuted.
This cruel shrub can torment its victim for up to six months, as long as the hairs remain under the skin. Whenever the affected area is pressed or washed, the pain intensifies. Even museum staff have to be cautious—samples that have been preserved for over 100 years can still inflict burns.
Simply standing near a gympie bush is asking for trouble. After 20 minutes, exposure triggers violent sneezing, nosebleeds, and potential respiratory damage. It’s so dangerous that scientists working nearby must frequently replace their face masks. Though unproven, a plausible theory suggests that the hairs can become airborne.
3. Robots That Feel Pain
In 2016, scientists achieved a remarkable milestone in robotics. The breakthrough—robots capable of feeling pain—could potentially save human lives. These robots, able to identify sources of pain, could warn nearby individuals of impending danger.
Pain-weary machines could also reduce repair expenses. Pain functions as a warning system (imagine someone shouting, 'Hey, stop! You’ve just broken your leg!'). A similar response in robots could signal them to halt operations if a threat arises to their system, preventing further damage and high repair costs.
To make this possible, researchers created an artificial nervous system designed to detect and respond to pain-inducing stimuli. While robots capable of feeling pain like humans remain a distant goal, the progress made in 2016 was promising.
The prototype from 2016 was impressive. It featured a robot arm equipped with a fingertip that contained a sensor modeled after human skin, capable of sensing pressure and temperature.
The arm made decisions based on the intensity of pain, which originated from sharp or hot objects. A mild sensation of pain caused the arm to retract until the discomfort faded. Once the pain subsided, the robot resumed its task. However, severe pain triggered a lockdown mode, forcing the arm to stop and wait for human intervention.
2. LEGO Walking vs. Fire Walking
A new trend has emerged—LEGO walking. Similar to fire walking or stepping over glass, this challenge involves walking barefoot over a bed of toy bricks. Surprisingly, it’s more painful than walking over fire, glass, or ice. This bizarre feat has gained popularity at events, workshops, and entertainment venues. Russell Cassevah discovered this the hard way.
In 2018, Cassevah made history by completing the longest LEGO walk ever, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records. After limping a remarkable 834 meters (2,737 feet), Cassevah received both a certificate and medical attention for his bleeding feet. No one has attempted to surpass his record since.
Although toy bricks may seem safer, hot coals are not harmful if prepared correctly and walked over quickly. Likewise, glass walks are designed to prevent cuts, with small shards spread in a thin layer that allows walkers to press them flat without injury.
However, a LEGO walk is different. The bricks move under a walker’s weight, causing sharp edges to dig into the 200,000 nerve receptors in the feet. This combination of shifting bricks and sharp pain is why stepping on even a single LEGO brick is so agonizing.
1. Family With No Pain
For years, the Marsili family from Italy baffled scientists. Unlike the rest of humanity, they do not feel pain in the usual way. A broken bone? Within seconds, they feel perfectly fine. Fractures go unnoticed, and they don't experience pain when burned or discomfort when ill. This extraordinary trait has been passed down through at least three generations.
There was a catch. Often, they wouldn’t realize when a serious injury had occurred. The individual would continue on with their regular routine, which led to delayed treatment and worsened the injury.
In 2017, blood tests uncovered the root cause: a gene named ZFHX2 that carried an unusual mutation. To examine this further, two sets of mice were bred—one with the mutation, the other without ZFHX2 entirely. The mice lacking the gene exhibited a higher pain threshold, while those with the mutation didn’t feel pain at all.
Though the mutation is not fully understood, it may interfere with the body’s pain signaling system. Scientists are working to crack the mystery in hopes of using their findings to provide relief for those battling chronic pain. As for the Marsili family, they’ve made it clear they would reject any offer to experience pain like others, even if researchers discover a way to reverse their unique condition.
