Ouch! Love REALLY Hurts!

Good news for couples everywhere. Apparently it IS possible for couples to feel each other's pain, according to this study by the University College London. The article says, merely knowing your loved one is suffering can be enough to trigger similar discomfort by activating (get this) pain centres in the brain!

Wow.

So now theoretically it IS possible that male partners get irritable whenever their other half gets PMS. I've even coined a name for this two years ago: Pre Pre Menstrual Syndrome, in which the men get irritable anticipating their partners impending menstrual cycle (and PMS). Hah!

"Our human capacity to 'tune in' to others when exposed to their feelings may explain why we do not always behave selfishly." Dr Tani Singer, researcher.

Amazing. They've even managed to find out why we do things for other people, thanks to the magic of brain imaging. Of course, the applications of this new finding are myriad. Members of a couple can now add "You never feel my pain!" to the list of reasons why they think their partner doesn't love them anymore (although I wonder if the pain that arises after making an expensive purchase is also shared. Hmmm.). In any case, this opens up a whole new dimension in relationships. Never again will the statement "I feel your pain" be taken slightly.

So ladies and gents, batter up. Do this simple, simple test: Ask yourself if whenever your partner is hurt, do you actually feel discomfort, or is that expression on your face the result of months of practice?

Heheheh.