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Laughter - The Best Medicine
Dr Jacqueline E Campbell
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Feeling out of sorts? Try laughing! Some researchers think that laughter may just be the best medicine, helping us feel better and putting that spring back in our step.
We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure increase and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.
The effects of laughter and exercise are very similar. William Fry, a pioneer in laughter research, claimed it took 10 minutes on a rowing machine for his heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minute of hearty laughter.
Laughter burns calories - 50 in fact for each 10 to 15 minutes (of laughter). Interesting, but don't ditch the morning walk. One piece of chocolate has about 50 calories; at the rate of 50 calories per hour, losing one pound would require about 12 hours of concentrated laughter!
Laughter's effects on the body. Researchers have studied laughter's effects on the body and turned up some potentially interesting information on how it affects us.
Immune response. Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humour may increase the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells.
Blood sugar levels. A study of 19 diabetic persons examined the effects of laughter on their blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a boring lecture. The next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.
Blood flow. Laughter helps our blood vessels function better by acting on the inner lining (endothelium) causing the vessels to relax and expand, increasing blood flow. So , it's good for our heart and brain, two organs that require the steady flow of oxygen carried in the blood. In a study of 20 healthy people, Dr Michael Miller of the University of Maryland reported that provoking laughter did as much good for their arteries as aerobic activity. The endothelium regulates blood flow, adjusts the tendency of blood to coagulate and clot and plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Relaxation and sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousins' memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies helped him feel better. He said that 10 minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.
The Sound of Laughter
Research done by Sophie Scott, a professor at University College London's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, demonstrated that when people hear the sound of laughter, their brain areas that control smiling and laughing become active, that is the sound of laughter spurred the brain to get ready to laugh and smile. "We usually encounter positive emotions, such as laughter or cheering, in group situations, whether watching a comedy programme with family or a football game with friends," Scott says.
"This response in the brain, automatically priming us to smile or laugh, provides a way of mirroring the behaviour of others, something which helps us to interact socially."
Laughter establishes or restores a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people. In fact, some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together and that all the health benefits may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates.
Laughter Yoga
Many persons are now laughing themselves healthy. Laughter Yoga is the brainchild of Dr Madan Kataria, an Indian doctor and student of Yoga. Laughter Yoga uses a blend of playful, empowering and "tension-releasing" simple laughter exercises. With gentle yoga-breathing and - stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting in unison, a simulated laughter turns into real laughter.
Laughter Yoga is done as a way to improve health, increase well-being and promote peace in the world through personal transformation. Dr Kataria started the first laughter club in 1995 and has been the catalyst for the creation of over 5,000 Laughter Clubs in 40 countries.
Dr Michael Miller says that , "Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week and 15 minutes of laughter on a daily basis is probably good for the vascular system."
Dr Jacqueline E Campbell is a family physician in private practice. E-mail drjcampbell14@yahoo.com
Dr Jacqueline E Campbell
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Feeling out of sorts? Try laughing! Some researchers think that laughter may just be the best medicine, helping us feel better and putting that spring back in our step.
We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure increase and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.
The effects of laughter and exercise are very similar. William Fry, a pioneer in laughter research, claimed it took 10 minutes on a rowing machine for his heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minute of hearty laughter.
Laughter burns calories - 50 in fact for each 10 to 15 minutes (of laughter). Interesting, but don't ditch the morning walk. One piece of chocolate has about 50 calories; at the rate of 50 calories per hour, losing one pound would require about 12 hours of concentrated laughter!
Laughter's effects on the body. Researchers have studied laughter's effects on the body and turned up some potentially interesting information on how it affects us.
Immune response. Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humour may increase the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells.
Blood sugar levels. A study of 19 diabetic persons examined the effects of laughter on their blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a boring lecture. The next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.
Blood flow. Laughter helps our blood vessels function better by acting on the inner lining (endothelium) causing the vessels to relax and expand, increasing blood flow. So , it's good for our heart and brain, two organs that require the steady flow of oxygen carried in the blood. In a study of 20 healthy people, Dr Michael Miller of the University of Maryland reported that provoking laughter did as much good for their arteries as aerobic activity. The endothelium regulates blood flow, adjusts the tendency of blood to coagulate and clot and plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Relaxation and sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousins' memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies helped him feel better. He said that 10 minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.
The Sound of Laughter
Research done by Sophie Scott, a professor at University College London's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, demonstrated that when people hear the sound of laughter, their brain areas that control smiling and laughing become active, that is the sound of laughter spurred the brain to get ready to laugh and smile. "We usually encounter positive emotions, such as laughter or cheering, in group situations, whether watching a comedy programme with family or a football game with friends," Scott says.
"This response in the brain, automatically priming us to smile or laugh, provides a way of mirroring the behaviour of others, something which helps us to interact socially."
Laughter establishes or restores a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people. In fact, some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together and that all the health benefits may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates.
Laughter Yoga
Many persons are now laughing themselves healthy. Laughter Yoga is the brainchild of Dr Madan Kataria, an Indian doctor and student of Yoga. Laughter Yoga uses a blend of playful, empowering and "tension-releasing" simple laughter exercises. With gentle yoga-breathing and - stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting in unison, a simulated laughter turns into real laughter.
Laughter Yoga is done as a way to improve health, increase well-being and promote peace in the world through personal transformation. Dr Kataria started the first laughter club in 1995 and has been the catalyst for the creation of over 5,000 Laughter Clubs in 40 countries.
Dr Michael Miller says that , "Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week and 15 minutes of laughter on a daily basis is probably good for the vascular system."
Dr Jacqueline E Campbell is a family physician in private practice. E-mail drjcampbell14@yahoo.com
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