I want to explore a horrible and unethical experiment conducted in the late 1960s that may have positive consequences, even if the dog-subjects don’t agree. Researchers attached the dog’s hind paws to an electrical current. For obvious reasons, the dog was terrified during the first initial shocks showing symptoms such as dilated pupils, hair standing on end, ears laid back, tail curled between its legs and “expulsive defecation and urination” (1&2). Thedog was then freed from the harness and after the first shock, “it moved slowly about the room, appeared to be stealthy, hesitant, and unfriendly” (2). The dog’s heart rate rose to 150 beats per minute above resting baseline during the first shock, then the heart rate fell to 30 beats below baseline for one minute (1&2). As the dog endured further electrical shocks, “it’s behaviour gradually changed. During the shocks, the signs of terror disappeared. Instead, the dog appeared pained, annoyed, or anxious, but not terrified. For example, it whined rather than shrieked, and showed no further urination, defecation, or struggling. “Then [said the researchers] when released suddenly at the end of the session, the dog rushed about, jumped on people, wagged it’s tail, in what we called at the time ‘a fit of joy’” (2). Within these subsequent shocks, the dog’s heart rate rose only slightly above resting baseline and only for seconds, then following the shock, the heart rate slowed significantly to 60 beats per minute below baseline and it took five minutes for the heart rate to return to baseline (1&2). To summarise, the dog adapted to the repeated exposure to pain in that the response of pain became weaker and shorter and the calm response following the pain became prolonged and stronger (1&2). The pain changed from struggle to “a fit of joy” and the state following the pain changed from anxiety to a state of relaxation (1&2). This experiment seems to show that if we embrace struggle and pain now, we will feel long-lasting pleasure in the future. Of course, these poor animals were not volunteering to this pain however, if we do perhaps we will:

1) Provide ourselves with reliable pleasure

2) Feel a more robust form of purpose

3) Be better prepared and calmer when unexpected pain occurs

Perhaps embracing pain is not about becoming acclimatised to it but becoming more courageous even in our fear

What we can also take away from this experiment is that the dogs perhaps did not want the pain even after experiencing the “fit of joy” during the latter shocks, however it seems, upon contemplating their changed behaviour that they became braver and more courageous. So, perhaps embracing pain is not about becoming acclimatised to it but becoming more courageous even in our fear.

It’s always difficult to get out of bed and go for a run, but perhaps with repeated exposure, we become braver and therefore are better equipped to overcome our own minds telling us to stay in bed. It’s always difficult to climb into a bath of ice, but perhaps with repeated exposure, we will become braver and embrace the pain anyway. Perhaps prescribing our way out of painful experiences such as depression and anxiety is not always the wisest route. Perhaps this only provides a short-term plaster over a wound that requires attention. Perhaps, instead of avoiding the pain, we should lean into it, become accustomed to it and develop a stronger capacity to live within thepains of reality and thus become braver, stronger and more fulfilled. We are all guilty of distracting ourselves from the pains of reality in various forms whether that be through alcohol, drugs, gambling, social media, television, pornography etc. but perhaps these are all doing the exact same as the plaster of prescriptions. Perhaps these all distract us from the pains of reality and thus cause us further pain when we cannot distract ourselves any longer.

Keep On Struggling

Gregor

Film I Revisited - King Kong (2005)

“A greedy film producer assembles a team of moviemakers and sets out for the infamous Skull Island, where they find more than just cannibalistic natives.”

Growing up I loved this adaptation of the classic story of King Kong, however I hadn’t watched it in years and my partner and I decided to revisit it. For a movie made 17 years ago, the special effects are incredible even by today’s standards. This beautiful version of the story has everything from romance to action to comedy so it’s definitely worth a watch, just bear in mind it’s close to 3 hours long.

Watch the trailer below.

WATCH HERE

A Christmas Film We Watch Every Year - The Holiday

“Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.”

This is an easy watch for this time of year with a great cast and heartfelt writing.

Watch the trailer below.

WATCH HERE

Running Shop I Was Tested At - Run4it

I visited Run4it last week for a gait analysis in which I ran on a treadmill with various running shoes on in order for the expert there to recommend a type of running shoe based on how I run. It turns out that I require a stability running shoe. Whilst I didn’t buy a pair of shoes there, the test and the expert were extremely beneficial and helpful and I would recommend anyone who runs or wants to start, to have your running-gait analysed as having the right running shoes can prevent injury and make running more enjoyable.

Check out Run4it’s website below.

CLICK HERE

Quote to Ponder

Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually denigrates into a racket - Eric Hoffer

References

1) Lembke, A. (2021) Dopamine nation. Penguin Random House.

2) Solomon and Corbit (1974) - An Opponent-Process Theory of Motivation

3) King Kong & The Holiday Movie Images & Quotes - IMDB