You’ve probably seen that meme floating around the internet: “Kicking a man produces 9000 units of pain.” 🧐 It’s funny, it’s exaggerated, and it has become a staple in memes about “manly suffering.” But let’s hit the brakes for a reality check: while getting kicked is definitely painful, the so-called “Del”—or the idea that a kick produces exactly 9000 units of pain—isn’t a real scientific measurement.
Pain isn’t measured in arbitrary “units” like a meme might suggest. Instead, scientists define it as a subjective experience, influenced by biology, psychology, context, and even prior experience. What one person experiences as a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale could feel like a 4 or 9 to someone else. Pain perception depends on nerve sensitivity, inflammation, and brain processing, as well as emotional factors like fear or surprise.
For example, studies show that the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex and insula light up when someone experiences pain. These regions are responsible for interpreting both the intensity of pain and the emotional response to it. That means two people who are kicked in the same spot could report very different pain levels because their brains interpret the experience differently.
So where does the idea of “9000 units of pain” come from? Likely, it’s internet humor mixed with our cultural fascination with over-the-top exaggeration. The “9000” probably originated as a meme exaggerating how dramatic someone reacts to a kick—similar to the classic “It’s over 9000!” meme from anime culture. Memes like this work because they exaggerate real experiences, amplifying humor and relatability. After all, anyone who’s ever been accidentally kicked can empathize with that sharp jolt of pain.
It’s worth noting that not all pain is equal, either. Pain from a kick can vary depending on:
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Location of impact – A kick to a muscle might sting less than one to a joint, groin, or shin.
