This is kind of a tangent from the article, but I wonder if this also holds for watching cute/small animals? My dentist has TVs that are almost directly above the dentist chair (so front and center when you are reclined, but not in a place you're worried about them falling on you) and they play this mindless channel that is just cute/small animals doing things. It is mesmerizing and time passes really quickly. If this study holds true, I wonder what other items on the spectrum of existence can reduce pain when we watch them. Such a curious part of the human experience.

Anecdotally, this isn’t surprising. I’ve always enjoyed nature documentaries, and since getting a large TV and decent sound system, I really enjoy them. They’re very calming to watch as a winding-down activity at night.

Replicable study?