Laughter
May Indeed Be the Best Medicine
Study
Shows Laughing Changes Blood Chemistry, Helps Protect Against Disease, Depression
Commentary
by Lee Dye ABC News back
to E-zine list
(excerpt)
May
10, 2006 -- Let that belly laugh out. New research shows that
it can literally change your blood chemistry and help protect you from
disease and depression.
Now,
researchers at Loma Linda University in Southern California say they have
found a physiological change that occurs when people laugh, and it lasts
long after the laughter subsides.
They
recruited 16 healthy males and divided them into two groups. Blood was drawn
from all the subjects before the experiment, four times during the hour-long
video, and three times afterward. Members of one group watched a funny movie
of their choice, but the second group didn't get to see the film.
The
results, Berk says, were dramatic.
Even
before the movie began, and long after it ended, the blood chemistry in the
group watching the movie changed. Beta-endorphins,
the so called body's own morphine rose by 27 percent
and human growth hormone rose by 87 percent
compared to the group that didn't see the movie.
That's
significant, Berk says, because of the role both those substances play.
"Endorphins
are the stuff that make you feel good," he says. "It's the stuff
that's related to orgasmic response. It's the runner's high."
It
also slows down the heart rate, reduces blood pressure and opens air passages.
Human
growth hormone "cranks up at night, when you and I are asleep," Berk
says. "It's one of the hormones that helps re-tune a lot of things.
And it tunes up and optimizes the immune system."
Thus,
his findings indicate there is a physiological basis for the good things
that come from laughing.
Click here
or the complete
article
And
check out our research section for other
subjects of interest.
Until
next time … laugh
yourselves silly. You'll feel better!
Judy
back
to E-zine list
P.S.
You have received this issue because you have shown an interest
in supporting laughter (in the absence of humor)
in the workplace. You may unsubscribe at any
time by clicking here and
selecting the "send" email.
Feel
free to forward this e-zine to friends and colleagues. The more
we spread the word, the sooner the world will be a happier and
healthier place for all of us. If you received this as a forwarded
email, you can sign up for your own copy by clicking here.
