New studies into the mysteries of the human body's amazing ability to heal itself are turning up some surprising theories.
Recent studies by the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown a drastic difference between the general health and well being of people who enjoy a good hearty laugh regularly, and those who do not share a similar sense of humor.
It appears that under a chemical analysis of the blood stream and the electro-chemical signals from the brain, that the activity of laughing releases a potent cocktail of good hormones, cells and enzymes that benefit various organs and functions of the body. This release is caused by a mysterious link between laughing and the stimulation of the brain and various glands.
In the study conducted by the Journal it was found that laughing releases a natural antihistamine produced by the body. Under clinical studies a broad group of men and women who suffered from allergies were exposed to the allergens that triggered their allergy symptoms. The same group was later shown a 90 minute comedy video while being exposed to the same allergens. Amazingly every single subject experienced much less severe or milder allergic reactions to the triggers than they had without the comedy stimulation. The positive effects of the allergy resistance triggered by laughter were monitored and continued for more than 4 hours after the end of the video.
Many other organizations have also conducted their own independent studies of the effects of laughter on health.
Various studies have shown laughter to increase T-Cells, a natural anti-biotic produced by the body, which boosts the immune system and helps fight infections. Medical studies and journals have also concluded that laughter helps the body to produce and release "Killer Cells" which destroy tumors and viruses, Gamma-Interferon a protein that fights disease, B-Cells which help make many of the disease fighting antibodies found in the human blood stream and more.
On the physical level laughter has also been proven to lower blood pressure and also increase oxygen levels in the blood, which in turn increases the speed and ability of the body to heal.
The benefits of laughter seem to be immediate and long-lasting.
Specialists recommend that you try to find something funny in your everyday life, every day. A good hearty belly laugh carries many desirable health benefits. Finding ways to make room in your life for laughter can be as simple as learning a few new jokes, or making an effort to watch more comedy movies.
Some doctors have even gone as far as to recommend that the human body needs a minimum of 15 minutes of laughter daily in order to help with normal body function.
Another mystery surrounding the laughter exercises is that it appears that appropriate types of humor and laughter are better for you than other types. Laughing at someone else's expense or through sarcasm generally has fewer benefits than a good honest hearty laugh with a group of friends.
Laughter not only boosts the good chemicals in the body, but reduces the bad chemicals released by negative stress, such as epinephrine, cortisol, dopamine, and adrenaline.
Cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore have also conducted studies on the effects of laughter on coronary heart disease. Their results have concluded that those with a better sense of humor and who laugh regularly are less likely to develop heart disease and that those that do develop it often have much milder symptoms than those who are generally negative and have less of a sense of humor. The cardiologists who took part in this study believe that laughter somehow promotes the growth of endothelium, a protective barrier that lines blood vessels and prevents cholesterol build-up in coronary arteries. The break-down of endothelium is one of the first stages of heart disease and leaves the coronary system open for further and progressive damage.
Trials at other medical universities have shown that fake laughter carries almost as many benefits of genuine laughter. This has given rise to the popularity of new physical fitness groups and clubs that center their exercises around the use of laughter in order to promote well being.
In any case the verdict from the medical community seems to be in; we may not know the why's and how's yet, but for those looking to increase overall health and prevent future health problems, laughter may indeed be the best medicine.