Fear of maths can cause physical pain

Fear of maths can activate pain networks in the brain, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Chicago found that anxiety about maths can activate regions of the brain linked with the experience of physical pain and visceral threat detection. The study led by Ian Lyons found that in individuals who experience high levels of anxiety when facing maths tasks, the anticipation of maths increases activity in regions of the brain associated with the physical sensation of pain.

The higher an individual’s maths anxiety, the more such neural activity was increased.

Previous research has shown that other forms of psychological stress, such as social rejection or a traumatic break-up, can also elicit feelings of physical pain. However, the current study examines the pain response associated with anticipating an anxiety-provoking event, rather than the pain associated with a stressful event itself. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE .

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