Laughter is a natural response to stimuli that our
individual personalities find funny, whether in the form of images,
sounds, physical sensations, or memories.But Can there be any side effects ?
The physical response of laughter is very fast. After our senses are
exposed to something “funny”, an electric current runs through our
nervous system to our cerebral cortex.By seeking out humorous situations or participating in activities that will stimulate laughter, you are giving your body a chance to exercise the diaphragm, as well as facial, leg, back, and abdominal muscles. Cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body, which are considered stress hormones, can be reduced through laughter, thereby adding to overall health. Also, the increase in respiration aids in the oxygenation of blood flowing to the brain and the rest of the body.
Humor is also a way to increase retention of information in academic or professional settings because of the higher number of mental connections between the information and emotional responses (laughter). The number of Gamma-interferon and T-cells, which are the disease and tumor hunters of the body, are increased through regular amounts of laughter, and other sicknesses like respiratory infections and the common cold can be inhibited and decreased if laughter is a regular part of a person’s life.
In a very general sense, laughter is a painkiller, and reduces the stress and anxiety of physical ailments through the same biological process that is outlined above.
Laughter is also a social mechanism, by which we make friends and connect with others. We often laugh at other people laughing, or at banal statements that are decidedly un-joke-like. The social phenomena of laughter is an important aspect of humor, but its’ connection to health is not widely studied, and would be better suited to anthropology than health and nutrition.
Side Effects of Laughter
Sore Muscles
Cardiac Disease and Surgery Recovery
There is no scientific data that shows laughter itself to have any negative effects unless combined with other serious health issues like severe cardiac disease, in which the stimulus of laughter and the temporary increase in blood pressure can be dangerous. Also, laughter should be avoided during recovery from abdominal surgery or some other area of the body that is physically impacted by the act of laughing.
Health Benefits of Laughter
Laughter indeed is a medicine for all. Its health benefits
include reducing the release of stress hormones, improving the mood,
enhancing creativity and many more.
Reduces Stress Hormones
Laughter has been shown to reduce the levels of certain stress hormones in the body. [1]
Although some of these chemicals are necessary for the body in certain
situations, high levels without useful application can cause an
imbalance in homeostasis
and can have a behavioral impact. These are called immunosuppressant
hormones and can have a harmful effect on the immune system. By
lessening the presence and production of these stress hormones through
“mirthful activity” (like laughing), the overall health and well being
of a person can be improved.
Increases Health-enhancing Hormones
On the positive side of hormonal impact, laughter can also increase the number of beneficial hormones like endorphins and neurotransmitters in the body. By increasing the level of endorphins in the body, studies have shown
that a subject’s threshold for pain is increased, making laughter, in a
sense, a painkiller or a pain dampener. Endorphins attach to the same
receptors in our brain as opiates, making the release of endorphins like
a drug experience without the negative side effects, along with easing
mood, tension, anger, and pain. An increase in neurotransmitters means
that your brain is able to function faster, make connections more
rapidly, and comprehend situations and problems at a higher rate.
Boosts Immune System
Laughter can even go so far as to help you stay healthy.
It has been widely studied that laughter can stimulate antibody cells
to develop at faster rates by changing the body’s chemistry through
hormonal shifts. This increase in antibodies means that the body is able
to fight off illness and infection easier. T-Cells are a type of white
blood cells known as lymphocytes.
Studies have shown that the efficiency of T-cells is actually increased
in a subject who regularly laughs and adds those hormonal advantages to
their overall system.
Natural Exercise
Aside from the internal benefits of laughter, it can also be a natural way to exercise various muscle groups in your body. When you engage in laughter, whether it is a giggle or a guffaw,
muscles are used to create that movement. The old adage that it “takes
more muscles to frown than to smile” is somewhat true, unless you are
laughing while smiling. Laughter engages the body’s diaphragm and
abdominal muscle systems during that repetitive expanding and
contracting that often happens when laughing for an extended period of
time. This is why our sides or stomach hurt slightly after long bouts of
laughter.
The facial muscles are also exercised, the same as they would be when
singing or enunciating strongly. Depending on your laughing style, and
how physically engaged you become, you can work out your legs, back,
shoulders, and arm muscles as well.Prevents Cancer
Laughter has also been shown to fight against cancer by increasing the levels of IFN (Interferon-gamma) in the body. IFN stimulates the B-cells, T-cells, NK cells, and immunoglobulin,
and it also works to regulate cell growth. These compounds are integral
to a healthy immune system, but they are also the lines of defense
against cancer and the abnormal growth of dangerous tumors in the body.
Laughing every day can keep all sorts of doctors away!
Regulates Blood Pressure
For anyone with high blood pressure, try to laugh more and watch your blood pressure decrease. Studies
have shown that “mirthful laughter” causes an initial increase in
arterial blood pressure due to the physical act of laughing, but that
rise is followed by a decrease to below the normal resting blood
pressure.This is further proof that laughter does indeed improve circulation and can reduce blood pressure, which is one of the major causes of heart disease and cardiac issues for many people.
Increases Blood Oxygenation
The process of laughter causes us to use our respiratory
system very quickly and strenuously for a short amount of time. This
intense activity stimulates an increase in the blood flow as the heart rate increases temporarily, thus increasing the amount of oxygen flowing to the brain. Increased oxygen levels in the brain promote healthier brain function,
as oxygen is integral to brain health. Additionally, pulmonary activity
gets a boost from laughter as well, because there is a higher level of
ventilation of the lungs during robust episodes of “mirthful laughter”
Improves Memory
Along with the improved brain function that laughter can provide, it can also work to improve memory in a different way. The connections and associations that the brain forms while “learning”
can be widened and made more complex by combining basic learning with an
emotional response like laughter or humor. By varying the levels of
association with different parts of our brain (pleasure, amusement,
logic, reason, etc.) remembering facts and recalling details is easier
because there are more linkages present in our memory.
Enhances Mood
Studies have shown that the simple act of laughing or
smiling can improve the mood and happiness levels in subjects versus
other activities. Laughter has been found to have an analgesic quality
that reduces even unconscious
pain, causing an improvement in mood. Even forced laughter, without a
normally humorous stimulus, works to improve mood. Therefore, even if
you don’t have anything funny to laugh about, it will probably put you
in a better mood just to participate in the physical act of laughter.
Your brain does not actually register whether the stimulus is genuine or
not, since people often find unusual things funny, or laughing at
inappropriate times. Research suggests that good mood may lead to a greater preference for healthy foods over indulgent foods.
Promotes Creativity
Laughter has a large number of effects on the chemical
processes in the body, and the combination of reduced stress hormones,
increased endorphins, and increased oxygenation to the blood and brain
caused an increase in creativity in test subjects who laugh often. By improving overall brain health and bolstering its natural support
system, both hemispheres can work together more efficiently so
creativity has a place to foster and grow.
Credit: #organicfacts
