# There's a scene in a visual media you're watching that shows a needle going into a human's vein. Are you able to watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360 "2026-11-02T22:57:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/1 "2026-11-02T22:57:43Z")
Neither of my parents were, but I am. Musta skipped a generation. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/2 "2026-11-02T23:11:12Z")
I can watch a needle going into other people, just not into me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/3 "2026-11-02T23:19:37Z")
I’ve seen one going into my own arm plenty of times, and it’s never disturbed me. I don’t see why a video of someone else would. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/4 "2026-11-02T23:23:37Z")
I’ve got a profound needle phobia, and movies and shows _do not help_. My family knows I’ll close my eyes and they’ll tell me when it’s over. I’m likely to shout, “NEVER GOOD,” because when people get injections on shows, it’s never a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/5 "2026-11-02T23:24:01Z")
I’d watch. I used to draw blood in a doctor’s office. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/6 "2026-11-02T23:26:35Z")
Nope. I am fine once it’s in there, but I can’t watch it go in. Same IRL. If I watch it coming toward me I cannot override my instinct to protect myself. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/7 "2026-11-03T00:00:05Z")
Yep, no problem. I donate blood every four weeks, and I watch every time - I’m fascinated by the ‘stick’. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/8 "2026-11-03T00:07:56Z")
I don’t like the feeling of a needle going into my body, but I can watch it on TV. If I watched myself, I would probably involuntarily tense up. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/9 "2026-11-03T00:13:13Z")
Well..for the past year I had to watch a needle go into my own eyeball every other month…so… ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/10 "2026-11-03T00:13:36Z")
Since 2018, starting before my cancer surgery, I have had a blood test every 4 to 6 months. I’ve gotten used to the minute or so of discomfort, but I choose not to watch blood being taken from me. Why would I willingly watch it being taken from someone else? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/11 "2026-11-03T00:27:03Z")
I don’t mind watching either on myself or someone else. I don’t mind getting shots or even having an i.v. put in–as long as a competent person is doing it. Once in the ER a medical person–not sure what she was exactly, RN, LVN, some kind of tech–and after she poked the back of my hand several times trying to get the needle in the right place, I stopped her and said, “Find me someone who knows how to do this, okay?” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/12 "2026-11-03T00:31:05Z")
I had to skip most of the responses in this thread, that’s how squeamish I am about needles into veins. I don’t mind shots at all, but IVs bother me. (and I’ve had my share recently). ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/13 "2026-11-03T00:34:37Z")
No, I can’t watch anything piercing any human skin for any purpose (not just a needle in a vein). I certainly can’t watch\* when I have blood taken. Sometimes the tech asks if I’m okay, as I resolutely look away. I’m fine, I just won’t watch. \*“Don’t want to” might be more accurate. I think I probably could watch, but I’m afraid I might flinch and cause the needle to miss the vein (because I’m a difficult stick). ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/14 "2026-11-03T00:37:28Z")
Yes, but I prefer not to. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/15 "2026-11-03T00:40:16Z")
Not me! And while I’ve gotten pretty good at letting the nurse draw my blood when needed, I have to look away. I am 65 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/16 "2026-11-03T00:41:41Z")
…you should have no trouble watching _Un Chien Andalou_. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/17 "2026-11-03T00:55:42Z")
Sure, no problem. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan\_myers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@aruvqan\_myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan_myers)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/18 "2026-11-03T01:10:20Z")
Diabetic, am very sccustomed to jabbing myself, on video it is nothing =) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/19 "2026-11-03T01:29:33Z")
F\*ck no. I’m not sensitive about blood and gore but needle close-ups are a hard pass. I really hate news stories about vaccines because they inevitably include a video or still image (depending on medium) of a jab, when it’s never needed. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360/20 "2026-11-03T01:34:49Z")
Weirdly enough, I have zero problems getting shots. When I was a kid I had really bad allergies (I still have bad allergies but not as bad), and I was getting a shot in my arm as frequently as twice a week. You get over a fear of needles fast when it’s the 100th time in a year you’re getting it. But at the same time, I have crippling hemophobia, or at least a weirdly specific version of it, to the point where I can literally go into shock. (I freaked out a nurse once because I was supposed to be giving blood and she could see me crashing.) To the point where even thinking about it is awful and I am going to stop typing about it now. But for me I guess it would depend on how that clip is portrayed. Either not a big deal or I pass out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-scene-in-a-visual-media-youre-watching-that-shows-a-needle-going-into-a-humans-vein-are-you-able-to-watch/1034360.md?page=2)