Article: Psychology Today posted July 22, 2017
Six Science-Based Reasons Why Laughter Is the 'Best Medicine'!
Laughter is vital brain and heart medicine for more reasons than we realize.
Intuitively we know that laughter is one of the best tools we have for dealing
with stress, and science backs that up. In fact, research into laughter goes
even further, revealing that it's a potent drug with the contagious power of a
virus that conveys a slew of benefits for the mind and body. Below are six
findings that should keep us wanting to laugh it up.
1. Laughter is a potent endorphin releaser.
One of the most recent studies shows that laughing with others releases
endorphins in the brain — our homegrown feel-good chemicals — via
opioid receptors. The more opioid receptors a given person has in their
brain, the more powerful the effect. Highly addictive opioid drugs, like
heroin, also bind to those receptors, suggesting that laughter induces
euphoria not unlike a narcotic (minus the obvious drawbacks).
endorphins in the brain — our homegrown feel-good chemicals — via
opioid receptors. The more opioid receptors a given person has in their
brain, the more powerful the effect. Highly addictive opioid drugs, like
heroin, also bind to those receptors, suggesting that laughter induces
euphoria not unlike a narcotic (minus the obvious drawbacks).
2. Contagious laughter forms social bonds.
The endorphin effect described above also explains why social laughter
is so contagious. Spreading endorphin release through groups promotes
a sense of togetherness and safety. Each brain in a social unit is a
transmitter of those feelings, which triggers the feel-goods in other brains
via laughter. It’s like a game of endorphin dominoes. That’s why when
someone starts laughing, others will likely laugh as well, even if they’re
not sure what everyone is laughing about.
is so contagious. Spreading endorphin release through groups promotes
a sense of togetherness and safety. Each brain in a social unit is a
transmitter of those feelings, which triggers the feel-goods in other brains
via laughter. It’s like a game of endorphin dominoes. That’s why when
someone starts laughing, others will likely laugh as well, even if they’re
not sure what everyone is laughing about.
3. Laughter fosters brain connectivity.
Not all laughter is the same, and it turns out that decoding a laugh is
more challenging than it seems. One study found differences in how
we perceive, for example, joyous laughter versus taunting laughter
versus tickling laughter, each of which activates connections between
different brain regions. What this all amounts to is that laughter fosters
rigorous brain region connectivity that kicks in when we hear a laugh, as
our brains work to decipher what sort of communication is coming through.
more challenging than it seems. One study found differences in how
we perceive, for example, joyous laughter versus taunting laughter
versus tickling laughter, each of which activates connections between
different brain regions. What this all amounts to is that laughter fosters
rigorous brain region connectivity that kicks in when we hear a laugh, as
our brains work to decipher what sort of communication is coming through.
4. Laughter is central to relationships.
A study showed that women laughed about 126 percent more than
their male counterparts, while men seem to instigate laughter the most —
and there’s an interesting application of those results to how relationships
form and are maintained. Women typically rate a sense of humor as a
top-three trait for a potential mate. Men tend to rate women who laugh
a lot (i.e. laugh at their jokes) higher than those who don't. It's no surprise,
then, that couples that laugh together report having higher-quality
relationships. Laughter is a nonnegotiable for all involved.
their male counterparts, while men seem to instigate laughter the most —
and there’s an interesting application of those results to how relationships
form and are maintained. Women typically rate a sense of humor as a
top-three trait for a potential mate. Men tend to rate women who laugh
a lot (i.e. laugh at their jokes) higher than those who don't. It's no surprise,
then, that couples that laugh together report having higher-quality
relationships. Laughter is a nonnegotiable for all involved.
5. Laughter has an effect similar to antidepressants.
Laughing activates the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin,
the same brain chemical affected by the most common types of
antidepressants, SSRIs. It’s not clear from the research how long
this effect sticks around, but the burst of brain activity laughing triggers
is undoubtedly potent, at least for short periods of time.
the same brain chemical affected by the most common types of
antidepressants, SSRIs. It’s not clear from the research how long
this effect sticks around, but the burst of brain activity laughing triggers
is undoubtedly potent, at least for short periods of time.
And...
6. Laughter protects your heart. Research has shown that laughter
has an anti-inflammatory effect that protects blood vessels and heart
muscles from the damaging impacts of cardiovascular disease. How this
happens isn't entirely understood, but it seems related to lessening the
body’s stress response, which is directly linked to increased inflammation.
Regular, hearty laughter should probably be part of every heart disease
prevention program.
has an anti-inflammatory effect that protects blood vessels and heart
muscles from the damaging impacts of cardiovascular disease. How this
happens isn't entirely understood, but it seems related to lessening the
body’s stress response, which is directly linked to increased inflammation.
Regular, hearty laughter should probably be part of every heart disease
prevention program.
No comments:
Post a Comment