Pain Threshold

**Light Leak** · 01-16-2014, 11:00 PM

What's your pain threshold?

I've been told that I have a high pain threshold on several occasions. The most recent time was when a doctor asked me about the worst pain I've ever experienced based off this chart.

I said 7. I was told that my pain threshold must be high because most people say 10. I thought that was strange. How can that most people have experienced the worst pain possible? I wonder if other people just compare it to what they've already experienced. The way I see it, is I can always imagine worse pain than what I'm experiencing so I'm not going to say 10. I base it off of pain that I'm imagining is worse.

**Anon** · 01-16-2014, 11:14 PM

I would guess about average, but it's difficult to really know. I've never broken a bone, passed kidney stones, had traumatic dental experiences, etc. I'd have a hard time saying what the most painful thing I've experienced is.

A 100lb weight plate fell on my ankle yesterday, that hurt.

**Osito Polar** · 01-16-2014, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Light Leak

The way I see it, is I can always imagine worse pain than what I'm experiencing so I'm not going to say 10. I base it off of pain that I'm imagining is worse.

Well then you've clearly never been bitten by bullet ants. It absolutely defies what you're imagining pain feels like. It's like a transcendental experience that completely takes over your entire ego and replaces every last iota of it with nothing but pure, refined, excruciating pain. If you realize you've been bitten by one, you should immediately get on the ground and start screaming because that's all you're going to do anyway. Last time this happened to me I was trying to pick a tamarind. As I post this to a fellow INTP I realize you might be slightly curious like "I wonder what that would be like?" I can tell you that you won't like it, but the venom is fairly harmless other than creating incredible pain. So, feel free to find a bullet ant and experiment without too much worry. Umm ... but don't come back later and be like "You fucker! Why did you tell me that!?!" Seriously, it's painful unlike anything else short of being on fire, probably. I've never actually been on fire.

**Delilah** · 01-16-2014, 11:27 PM

Why does the worst pain ever have to involve crying? I've had a lot of pain, kidney stones, childbirth (with and without drugs) a spinal injection (that hurt) broken bones, teeth drilled without anesthesia, a bout of PID once, migraines, what was likely a mild heart attack....that/sb all I can think of off the top of my head. Anyway, there was no crying. By that scale I would say I have maybe hit an 8, and that would probably be a tie between the shot to the spine and kidney stones.

**Browser** · 01-16-2014, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Delilah

Why does the worst pain ever have to involve crying? I've had a lot of pain, kidney stones, childbirth (with and without drugs) a spinal injection (that hurt) broken bones, teeth drilled without anesthesia, a bout of PID once, migraines, what was likely a mild heart attack....that/sb all I can think of off the top of my head. Anyway, there was no crying. By that scale I would say I have maybe hit an 8, and that would probably be a tie between the shot to the spine and kidney stones.

Because you are a sissy. I never cry, except just now when you said that.

**Delilah** · 01-16-2014, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by Browser

Because you are a sissy. I never cry, except just now when you said that.

Is English a second language for you?

**kali** · 01-16-2014, 11:34 PM

Pains that have required bedrest and copious amounts of weeping for me:

> menstrual cramps
> gastroenteritis
> bacterial infection of wisdom tooth
> depression
> losing at chess

I'd say probably 8 or 9 though. I've heard cluster headaches are the worst pain imaginable.