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