Getting hit in the balls is no fun for anybody – whether you’re the one being hit, the one doing the hitting, or just an innocent bystander. However, have you ever wondered why getting hit in the balls can be such a painful experience? Well, we’ve got the answers! Here’s a five-step guide to why your family jewels are just so sensitive.
Number Five: No Protection. Despite it being such a sensitive area, there is no muscle, bone or fat surrounding the testicles and scrotum. The testicles hang low outside the body to maintain a temperature of approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit (this is to preserve the quality of your sperm). Though a flick to the face would be stopped by skin and fat, there is nothing protecting the scrotum, leaving it vulnerable.
Number Four: Pain Receptor Density. Pain exists to warn your brain that something is wrong and needs to be fixed (just think about touching a hot oven). Because the scrotum is such a sensitive area, there is a much higher concentration of sensory and pain receptors there, intended to warn you if anything is going wrong. The vast network of nerve endings are what make the tiniest touch excruciating. Speaking of nerves…
Number Three: Nerve Endings. Many men experience nausea when being hit in the balls, but have you ever wondered why? This happens because the same nerve that’s responsible for your crotch also covers your stomach, abdominal region and your heart. When you get hit in the balls, the nerve sends a signal at the speed of 270 miles per hour back to your brain, often resulting in nausea and abdominal pain.
Number Two: Mirror Neurons. Mirror neurons, colloquially called empathy neurons, are what cause people to feel pain when they see others experiencing it. This is why many men cringe and flinch when they see someone else being hit in the balls. So even if you’re not the one being hit in the balls, it might still hurt.
Number One: Nature Is Synergistic. It might surprise you to find out that being hit in the balls is not actually one of the most painful injuries, but it’s the combination of that vulnerability, the importance of your genitals, and the concentration of pain that ultimately makes the experience seem more painful than it really is. And there you have it!