| Once there were these two Nuns and they...just | | | | infections.An increase in gamma interferon, which |
| kidding! Do you feel any thinner or healthier? Well, | | | | tells various components of the immune system |
| according to recent studies, you might not in the | | | | to "turn on."An increase in IgB, the immunoglobulin |
| beginning but over the long haul, you could actually | | | | produced in the greatest quantity in body, as well |
| drop weight.Now, if you are laughing because you | | | | as an increase in Complement 3, which helps |
| are binging on some kind of pastry or you getting | | | | antibodies to pierce dysfunctional or infected cells. |
| trashed on alcohol, this might not work for you | | | | The increase in both substances was not only |
| but if you are laughing for other reasons, it could | | | | present while subjects watched a humor video; |
| pay greatly by reducing fat around your waist | | | | there also was a lingering effect that continued to |
| and thighs.First of all, I am going dispel a few | | | | show increased levels the next day.Laughter |
| myths regarding the Cortisol fighting snake-oils | | | | Decreases "Stress" Hormones:The results of the |
| that are being advertised.Cortisol is caused by | | | | study also supported research indicating a general |
| physical and emotional stress! Cortisol is a | | | | decrease in stress hormones that constrict blood |
| hormone released by your adrenal glands in | | | | vessels and suppress immune activity. These |
| response to either physical or emotional stress | | | | were shown to decrease in the study group |
| and that is the reason it is referred to as the | | | | exposed to humor.For example, levels of |
| "stress" hormone. Whether it's a lot of missed | | | | epinephrine were lower in the group both in |
| nights of sleep, an extremely low calorie diet or | | | | anticipation of humor and after exposure to |
| getting caught in a traffic jam, your body | | | | humor. Epinephrine levels remained down |
| responds in much the same way. It secretes | | | | throughout the experiment.In addition, dopamine |
| cortisol into your bloodstream, which can cause | | | | levels (as measured by dopac) were also |
| even more problems.This hormone is part of the | | | | decreased. Dopamine is involved in the "fight or |
| "fight-or-flight" response that we have as human | | | | flight response" and is associated with elevated |
| beings. Faced with stressful situations and danger, | | | | blood pressure.Laughing is aerobic, providing a |
| we are left to either run or fight. Your body | | | | workout for the diaphragm and increasing the |
| secretes this hormone as a way of defending | | | | body's ability to use oxygen.Laughter brings in |
| against stress and danger. Primarily it increases | | | | positive emotions that can enhance - not replace |
| the flow of glucose, protein and fat out of your | | | | -- conventional treatments. Hence it is another |
| tissues and into your circulation system. For | | | | tool available to help fight the disease.Experts |
| example, if a bear were chasing you in the | | | | believe that, when used as an adjunct to |
| woods, your energy levels would increase | | | | conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid |
| because it your body's natural response to a | | | | the healing process. For one thing, laughter offers |
| physical threat.The dangers of having these high | | | | a powerful distraction from pain.In a study |
| levels of the hormone have been associated with | | | | published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, patients |
| storage of visceral fat, diabetes, heart disease, | | | | were told one-liners after surgery and before |
| weakened immune system, and chronic | | | | painful medication was administered. Those |
| depression.Now that you are a little more | | | | exposed to humor perceived less pain when |
| educated, what do you think would be the best | | | | compared to patients who didn't get a dose of |
| idea for preventing these deadly, hormonal, | | | | humor as part of their therapy.Perhaps, the |
| Cortisol surges? Come-on, I know you know the | | | | biggest benefit of laughter is that it is free and |
| answer. It isn't in some magic Cortisol-blocking pill, | | | | has no known negative side effects.So, here is a |
| is it? That's right, you need to control your | | | | summary of how humor contributes to physical |
| STRESS.You can take all the Cortisol blocking | | | | health. More details can be found in the article, |
| stuff you want, but if you aren't controlling your | | | | Humor and Health contributed by Paul |
| stress, you could easily be storing abdominal fat if | | | | McGheeMuscle Relaxation - Belly laugh results in |
| you are a man and hip and thigh fat if you are a | | | | muscle relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles |
| woman.I am not saying that supplementation may | | | | that do not participate in the belly laugh, relaxes. |
| not be required for some people. I believe that if | | | | After you finish laughing those muscles involved in |
| you aren't getting enough rest or you are unable | | | | the laughter start to relax. So, the action takes |
| to relax, you probably need some nutrients put | | | | place in two stages.Reduction of Stress Hormones |
| back into your body. Remember though, | | | | - Laughter reduces at least four of |
| supplementation does not mean replacement. | | | | neuroendocrine hormones associated with stress |
| Learning how to get your stress levels down is | | | | response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopac, |
| the most productive thing you can do.Also, if you | | | | and growth hormone.Immune System |
| are suffering with anxiety and depression, your | | | | Enhancement - Clinical studies have shown that |
| body may need some real medical help to get | | | | humor strengthens the immune system.Pain |
| your stress level down to something manageable. | | | | Reduction - Humor allows a person to "forget" |
| In fact, if you are under the kind of stress that | | | | about pains such as aches, arthritis, etc.Cardiac |
| causes weight gain, learning relaxation skills are | | | | Exercise - A belly laugh is equivalent to "an internal |
| probably the first things your doctor will advise | | | | jogging." Laughter can provide good cardiac |
| you to do. Also, if you are suffering with anxiety | | | | conditioning especially for those who are unable to |
| and depression, don't be afraid to consult with a | | | | perform physical exercises.Blood Pressure - |
| qualified physician because they can really help | | | | Women seem to benefit more than men in |
| you get your stress levels under control.Finally, I | | | | preventing hypertension.Respiration - Frequent |
| went a long way to say, " Laughter will do | | | | belly laughter empties your lungs of more air than |
| wonders for your stress levels". Relaxation | | | | it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect - similar to |
| doesn't always mean just laying down watching | | | | deep breathing. Especially beneficial for patient's |
| TV so you can't use this issue article as an | | | | who are suffering from emphysema and other |
| excuse for being lazy. You just need to learn how | | | | respiratory ailments. (SIDE BAR FROM Randall |
| to calm down and recognize stress.Check out this | | | | Gartman: It will also help balance Oxygen and Co2 |
| research from Dr. Lee Berk.Therapeutic Benefits | | | | levels, which could help anxiety sufferers with |
| of Laughter (RESEARCH)Dr. Lee Berk and fellow | | | | hyperventilation)---End of Research---Now, Let me |
| researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda | | | | show you how you can apply what you just |
| University in California have been studying the | | | | learned.Sit in a chair, check your shoulders and let |
| effects of laughter on the immune system. To | | | | them relax but keep your posture straight so you |
| date their published studies have shown that | | | | can breathe properly. Imagine your butt sinking |
| laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress | | | | into your chair but feel yourself centered, neither |
| hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts | | | | leaning forward or back.Breathe in from your |
| immune function by raising levels of | | | | diaphragm to the count of 4, hold your breath to |
| infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins | | | | count of 4 and release your breath to the count |
| called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which | | | | of 4. If you want to know how to breathe |
| produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter | | | | properly, watch an infant sleep because they |
| also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's | | | | haven't learned how to breathe improperly yet!As |
| natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of | | | | you take each breath, tighten up your toes to |
| well-being.Following is a summary of his research, | | | | the count of 4, hold that tension to the count of |
| taken from an interview published in the | | | | 4 and release the tension slowly to the count of |
| September/October 1996 issue of the Humor and | | | | 4.Perform that routine for each body part in this |
| Health Journal.Laughter Activates the Immune | | | | order: toes, feet, calves, thighs, buttocks, abs, |
| System:In Berk's study, the physiological response | | | | chest, back, arms, hands, neck and face.After |
| produced by belly laughter was opposite of what | | | | you finish the above exercise, discover what it's |
| is seen in classical stress, supporting the conclusion | | | | like to finally be relaxed and just sit there for a |
| that mirthful laughter is a eustress state -- a | | | | few minutes. If it is at night, you can do this lying |
| state that produces healthy or positive | | | | down so all you need to do is close your eyes |
| emotions.Research results indicate that, after | | | | and get some sleep. However, if it is daytime, I |
| exposure to humor, there is a general increase in | | | | want you stand up (if you can) and stretch and |
| activity within the immune system, including: An | | | | put a big goofy smile on your face. I mean cross |
| increase in the number and activity level of natural | | | | your eyes and jump up and down like a crazy |
| killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some | | | | person. Don't stop until you are laughing!Now that |
| types of cancer and tumor cells.An increase in | | | | you know that laughter is awesome medicine for |
| activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are | | | | fighting obesity and a variety of health issues, |
| many T cells that await activation. Laughter | | | | how often do you think you could practice putting |
| appears to tell the immune system to "turn it up | | | | a smile on your face? I am getting thin right now. |
| a notch."Increases antibodies IgA (immunoglobulin | | | | In fact, I am exercising in public right now--LOL.(c) |
| A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and | | | | 2003 - 2004 Randall T. |