In a recent study, women who held their boyfriend's hand while being subjected to "moderately painful heat stimuli" reported feeling less pain. The women were given the stimuli while holding their boyfriend's hand, a ball or a male stranger's hand.
In a second test, women were pained again, but while being shown a picture of a chair, a stranger or their boyfriend. Once again, those who were shown pictures of their boyfriends said they felt less pain.
As the article suggests:
The study was small, however, and more research would be needed to confirm the findings and figure out exactly what's going on. The results are detailed in the November 2009 issue of the journal Psychological Science.
Eisenberger and colleagues say the study suggests practical advice: If you're going through a stressful or painful experience, and you don't have a loved one handy, at least find a photo.
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