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It's not exactly a secret that many humans derive pleasure from massages, and previous research has shown other primates enjoy it as well. And now, we've found the first non-primate to use massages to relieve stress: the surgeonfish. More »
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It turns out there is a neurological explanation for why people scratch and cut themselves, and spank each other for pleasure. Inflicting small amounts of physical pain, whether from scratching your skin vigorously or doing something more extreme, deactivates the parts of your brain associated with unpleasant or painful emotions. Though scientists have long speculated that there was some kind of neurological payoff from self-inflicted pain, a study published yesterday demonstrated precisely why your brain gets a reward when you hurt your body. More »
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