General Health part of Myhealthblogging.com Channel

Laughter is a part of human behavior regulated by the brain. It is an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement. Strong laughter can sometimes bring an onset of tears or even moderate muscular pain as a physical response to the act.

It helps humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and provides an emotional context to conversations.

Laughter might not be confined or unique to humans, despite Aristotle’s observation that “only the human animal laughs”. Modern neurophysiology states that laughter is linked with the activation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which produces endorphins after a rewarding activity. Research has shown that parts of the limbic system are involved in laughter. The limbic system is a primitive part of the brain that is involved in emotions and helps us with basic functions necessary for survival. Two structures in the limbic system are involved in producing laughter: the amygdala and the hippocampus.

A study in Japan shows that laughter lowers blood sugar after a meal. Keiko Hayashi, Ph.D., R.N, of the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki, Japan, and his team performed a study of 19 people with type 2 diabetes. Scientists conclude that laughter is good for people with diabetes. They suggest that ‘chemical messengers made during laughter may help the body compensate for the disease.” Studies at the University of Maryland found that when a group of people were shown a comedy, after the screening their blood vessels performed normally, whereas when they watched a drama, after the screening their blood vessels tended to tense up and restricted the blood flow. As well as lowering blood pressure, laughter also increases oxygen in the blood, which also encourages healing.”

So, come get more laughter from now on. Laughing not only helps our heart, but it also helps us look good, doesn’t it? :-)

Topik: Habits