Can Piercings Be an Effective Stress Relief Solution?

Piercing as an anti-stress solution?

Piercings are often associated with self-expression and aesthetics, but there is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that they can also have beneficial effects on stress and anxiety.

Many people claim that the piercing process and wearing the jewelry can help calm the mind and relax the body. Is this really the case or is it a placebo effect? ​​Can an ear piercing impact the psyche in the same way that the positioning of the planets in the universe impact a person's character at the time of birth?

Understanding the Connection Between Piercings and Stress Relief

To understand how body piercing can help relieve anxiety, it is important to look at other proven methods that can have the same effects and how they work.

According to some ancient practices, such as acupuncture, body piercing can stimulate the release of endorphins, natural chemicals produced by the brain, which act as natural painkillers and mood regulators. Based on this principle alone, one is entitled to wonder if piercing can bring the same effects or even some of these effects.

It should be noted, however, that even though both cases involve sticking needles into the body, the method and the purpose are not the same.

The Science Behind Piercings and Stress Reduction

There are a few scientific studies that have been conducted to try to understand the impact that bodmod could have on stress management. According to Dr. Laurence Jerome, for certain characters who are naturally prone to anxiety, a piercing can be an effective way to combat certain anxieties. It is not the piercing itself that would help these people, but rather the fact of being able to play with it unconsciously when the level of concern increases.

We do spend our time telling you to stop playing with your piercings, because we know full well that in most cases, these gestures are unconscious. But if you get into the habit of fiddling with them during the healing phase, you're not going to see your piercing finish healing anytime soon.

Dr. Laurence Jerome's study is available here (in English)

There is also a scientific article, published on the National Library of Medicine website, explaining how the Daith piercing could have an impact on migraines, how and why it could help reduce them, or even make them disappear in some cases.

Daith Piercing to Fight Headache (in English)

To learn more about Daith piercing, follow this guide (in French)

The Most Common Types of Piercings and Their Potential Stress-Reducing Benefits

There are many types of piercings, each with their own potential stress-reducing benefits.

Here are some of the most common ones and how they can help alleviate this contemporary ailment:

• Ear Piercing: Ear piercing is one of the most popular and can be done in different parts of the ear, such as the lobe and cartilage. For some, piercing specific parts of the ear can help relieve headaches and migraines, as is believed to be the case with daith piercing, which may be related to the stimulation of acupuncture points.
  
• Nose Piercing: Nose piercing is another popular choice and can be done in different areas, such as the nostril or septum. Some people feel that nose piercing can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
  
• Tongue Piercing: Tongue piercing may seem extreme, but it is considered by some to promote relaxation and anxiety management. Some believe that tongue piercing can help release tension and facilitate deep breathing.