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cover of episode Ouch! That Feels Great

Ouch! That Feels Great

2025/6/9
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Hidden Brain
AI Chapters Transcript
Chapters
In a study, the majority of men and a quarter of women chose to self-administer electric shocks over sitting in silence, challenging the common notion of pain avoidance. This episode explores the curious human tendency to seek out certain forms of suffering.
  • Study participants chose electric shocks over silence.
  • This challenges the notion that we avoid suffering.
  • The episode explores the upside of discomfort and pleasure in suffering.

Shownotes Transcript

We generally think of pain as something to be avoided. But psychologist Paul Bloom) says that as much as we're wired to avoid suffering, we also seek it out. This week, we begin a two-part mini series about the curious pleasure we take in certain forms of pain.

*Hidden Brain is about to go on tour! Join Shankar in a city near you as he shares key insights from the first decade of the show. For more info and tickets, go to *https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/.)