Did you know? - Plants can actually feel pain
Ouch…It
hurts! Very common exclamation for most of us. But what if you could hear a
plant saying this? Well, you won’t believe that but plants suffer
everyday. Simply we are not able to hear
them. Yesterday I was minding my own business when, all of a sudden, I started
hearing a noise out of the window. There were two gardeners cutting the grass.
In my opinion there’s nothing better than catching a whiff of freshly cut
grass. For us it could be quite pleasant. But for the grass that smell is pure
horror.
The smell
we associate with freshly cut grass is actually a chemical distress call used
by plants to beg nearby critters to save them from attack. If you could be able
to hear these call, it would be a horrifying scream. After all, when there’s a threat, whether it's
a lawnmower or a hungry caterpillar, plants can't run away. They must fight
where they stand. And that is exactly what they do.
But this
can be just seen as a way of communicate . But does that mean they can feel
pain? I’m sorry for vegetarians and vegans, but the answer won't be very
pleasant.
According
to researchers at the Institute for Applied Physics at the University of Bonn
in Germany, after cutting or injuring a plant, some gases are released. These molecules are the equivalent of tears in
human beings, so releasing these gases would mean crying out in pain for the
plant. And using a laser-powered microphone, just to make things even worse,
researchers have picked up specific sound waves produced by plants while releasing
that gases. Although not perceptible by humans, the secret voices of plants
have revealed that cucumbers scream when they are sick, and flowers whine when
their leaves are cut. Speaking of crying plants, the Mandragora's cry (on the left you have some examples of this strange animal-plant hybrid) was believed to be extremely lethal for humans, but this sure is another story...
Today is
the remorse fair. There's also evidence that plants can hear themselves being
eaten. Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found out that plants
understand and respond to chewing sounds made by caterpillars or humans that
are dining on them. As soon as the plants hear the noises, they respond with plenty
of defense mechanisms.
To sum up,
the combination of distress calls, releasing gases and emitting sounds….is
actually pain!! Some researchers and botanists argue that pain is strictly
connected with the brain. Without one, pain cannot be registered. But plants
can actually demonstrate to be extremely intelligent without having a brain or
conscious awareness. The actual feeling of pain would not be so far from truth.
After all,
plants are able to communicate, and there’s no denying. Trees in a forest can
warn their relatives of insect attacks. And, if they’re near enough to one
another, there can be also a nutrients exchange. This biological network helps
plants propagate, grow and survive. All these processes can be verified using
injections of radioactive carbon isotopes. Within a few days, carbon is sent
from tree to tree to all the nearby plants in the area. This complex network of
roots, leaves and stems is also used by older trees to help the younger ones to
collect the light until they’re strong enough to be completely independent.
Plants have
a great sense of community…even more than humans. What do you think?
Do you think plants sense pain? Have these scientific researches convinced you?
After reading this, you might have changed your mind. When you’ll read “Please
keep off the grass”, maybe you should follow the advice. Have a great life and
Never Stop Snooping Around.
Interesting... So, maybe vegan diet isn't actually "cruelty free"...
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm afraid everyone has their own remorse :)
DeleteOh, yes. I felt this even before I understood it. I used to play pretend as a teacher and my students are my mother's plants. They grew healthy! They didn't when I stopped "teaching" them. :)
ReplyDeleteThey're living creatures so I believe they have feelings. I understand it now better though.
Great facts here again!
That was sure a great way to let them feel loved. So kind and thoughtful. I do the same with my plants. I treat them like my own children ;)
DeleteRight? My roomate once told me that my basil was like a pet. :D
DeleteGigi approves ;)
DeleteHere is a little science and logic. An organism lacking a brain and nervous system are not capable of feeling pain. Your references are suggesting response to stimuli. Not actual pain.
ReplyDeleteIn a scientific way this is true, but some scientists believe that plants have such a complex connection of mechanisms that leads to a pseudo-emotion classified as pain. Of course without a brain that emotion cannot be compared to the human feeling, but it's very similar.
DeleteThis is why as a witch I leave "gifts" and a blessing from plants I must gather.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that, thanks to your gifts and blessings, they'll help you with their power in all of your enchantments and potions :)
Delete