BBC Young Reporter @ LCS

Believe it or not Neanderthals used to use loud quick noises to warn others of danger by letting out short, loud sounds is the quickest way to convey danger or notify others of an unexpected event. “Ow”, for example. It is believed to be used by tribesmen to warn others of a dangerous animal in the area of the “Ow” sound.

Now you know why our ancestors did it but why do we do it?

We actually do ourselves some good by wincing or saying ow when we are in pain because, overtime it gradually began to distract people from the pain, which is also why doctors try to draw a child's attention away. For adults, they simply suggest that you look away from the spot where you’re going to be injected. There are many scenes in movies showing the same phenomenon; a person doesn’t appear to really feel wounded until they see the actual wound, after which, all hell breaks loose and you may be on the fast track to a tragic ending. What could possibly be the reason behind such seemingly illogical behaviour?

If you don’t believe it then why do you think you feel less pain when nobody looks at where you are hurt? Because they are drawing your attention to it. 0verall all these techniques (looking away, shouting) are tools to influence your perception of pain or a physical injury. It’s a fighting mechanism of the human body. It basically says “Don’t look at the wound and I will avoid telling you that it hurts”. In the same way, shouting “Ouch” is a technique of our brains that helps us distract our attention, even if temporarily, from an injury.