The International Schoolof Energy Medicine

As CLYTs it is very important that one has a comprehensive knowledge about the scientific aspect of laughter and its benefits. Here is an article which explains the effects of laughter on the human brain. Please read on:

Laughter is defined as the act of “making sounds from the throat while breathing out in short bursts or gasps as a way of expressing amusement”, according to the Encarta Dictionary. Studying laughter is difficult since it doesn’t occur easily or naturally in the laboratory setting. Studying gelotology, the science of laughter, and knowing the effects that laughter has on the brain could prove valuable in the treatment of depression and other mood-related disorders.

Limbic System

When people were given humorous material after being hooked up to a machine measuring brain activity, laughter resulted when a negatively charged electrical impulse traveled through the cerebral cortex and stimulated a primitive part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system is involved in all emotions, including laughter, as well as basic functions required for survival. The amygdala and the hippocampus are the two limbic structures playing a role in laughter. Dysfunction in the amygdala region of the brain has been linked to disorders such as depression, Parkinson’s and fragile-X syndrome, a disorder often marked by symptoms similar to attention deficit disorder and autism. Problems with the hippocampus result in mental illnesses including Alzheimers, schizophrenia and severe depression.

NAcc or the Nucleus Accumbens

Research published in the Dec. 4, 2003 issue of Neuron showed that laughter activated an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens, or the NAcc. The NAcc is involved in the pleasurable feelings that follow monetary gain or the use of some addictive drugs. The funnier the content, the more blood flow to the NAcc was measured, confirming its role in humor appreciation.

Mirror Neurons

Steven Small, professor in neurology and psychology, argues that the contagious nature of laughter is caused by mirror neurons or “brain cells that become active when an organism is watching an expression or behavior that they themselves can perform.” If you see someone laughing, even if you don’t know why they are laughing, you may laugh anyway. The imitative behavior is due to the mirror neurons being stimulated.

Hypothalamus

Laughter is the best medicine for reducing stress hormones produced in the hypothalamus section of the brain, lowering blood pressure, reducing risk of heart attack and stroke. It affects the brain cognitively, increasing your intelligence, improving you memory and ability to process information. Finally, lowering stress hormones by laughing improves your immune system by generating more disease fighting cells.

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