Laughing Matters Abstract Introduction We all like to laugh, and generally it makes us feel better.

Laughter is a common physiological phenomenon that researchers are just beginning to study. What exactly happens when we laugh? What makes us laugh? Is it true that laughter is contagious? Is laughter healthy? When we laugh, the brain pressures us to simultaneously make gestures and sounds. Fifteen facial muscles contract, the larynx becomes half-closed so that we breathe irregularly, which can makes us gasp for air, and sometimes, the tear ducts become activated (1). Nerves sent to the brain trigger electrical impulses to set off chemical reactions. These reactions release natural tranquilizers, pain relievers and endorphins (2). There are three different theories for what people find humorous. The incongruity theory is when people's logical expectations don't match up with the end of the situation or the joke. The relief theory is when tension is built up and we need a release of emotion; this is commonly seen in movies in what we refer to as 'comic relief' (1). The relief theory also takes into account laughing at forbidden thoughts (6). The third is called superiority theory, when we laugh at someone else's mistakes because we feel superior to them (1). While what people find humorous can be divided into these three generic categories, many factors affect a person's sense of humor, which is why we don't all laugh at the same things. The main factor seems to be a person's age (1). We have all seen young children laugh at jokes that they don't "get" just because they understand the format for riddles (4). There is always a certain amount of intelligence involved in understanding a joke, no matter how basic or stupid the joke may seem (1). So the older a person gets, the more she learns, and her sense of humor will usually become more mature. However, laughter also occurs in situations not necessarily considered to be typically humorous. Psychologist and neuroscientist Robert Provine, from the University of Maryland, studied over 1,200 "laughter episodes" and determined that 80% of laughter isn't based around humor (3). We laugh from being nervous, excited, tense, happy or because someone else is laughing (4). The listener isn't just laughing in response to the speaker, either. Provine found that in most conversations, speakers laugh 46% more than listeners do (3). I think the fact that speakers laugh more than listeners implies a kind of nervousness and need for acceptance on the speaker's part. They subconsciously think that if they laugh, the people listening to them will also laugh, and the listeners laughing makes the speaker feel more comfortable. Conversationalists who think that if they laugh they will also make their audience laugh may not be too far off. It is widely accepted that laughter makes people laugh, even if they do not know the original context that caused laughter. The ability of laughter to cause laughter indicates that humans might have "auditory "feature detectors"--neural circuits that respond exclusively to this species-typical vocalization"(3). These detectors trigger the neural circuits that generate laughter. A laugh generator that is initiated by a laugh detector may be why laughter is contagious (3). So

people who are laughing with someone else may not be able to control themselves, even if they do not know what caused the original laugh. What we consider normal, healthy laughter doesn't come in different forms. Laughter is rigidly structured the same way as any animal call. All types of laughter should be a series of short vowel-like syllables such as 'ha-ha-ha' or 'tee-hee-hee' that are about 210 milliseconds apart (3). When it doesn't follow that structure, laughter usually sounds unnatural or disturbing. Laughter that sounds like 'haa-haaa-haaaaa', that gets louder instead of quieter, or that interrupts the structure of a sentence are all examples of odd laugh forms (5). I realized that many of the examples of 'unhealthy' laughter are what we use in our society to depict villains. Since laugher is structured like animal calls, it is almost as though when we hear something that doesn't follow those patterns, we instinctively know that it is menacing or unnatural. We often laugh because we're happy, but laughing can also make us happy - and healthy. Laughter releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine and are probably connected to euphoric feelings, appetite modulation, and the release of sex hormones (7). Studies have shown that laughter boosts the immune system in variety of ways. Laughter increases the amount of T cells, which attack viruses, foreign cells and cancer cells, and gamma interferon, a protein that fights diseases (8). It increases B-cells, which make disease-destroying antibodies (1). Immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights upper respiratory tract infections, and immunoglobulins G and M, which help fight other infections, levels all rise due to laughing (8). The amount of stress hormones are also reduced by laughing, some of which are hormones that suppress the immune system (1). So when you feel better after laughing, you really are happier and healthier. Laughing is also a full body workout. Some researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is as much of a workout as 15 minutes on an exercise bike (1). This raises the question of exactly what type of laughing do they mean? The kind where your stomach hurts by the time you are finished, or any type of laughing? Also, the average adult only laughs seventeen times a day, so it would take a little more than five days to get the equivalent of 15 minutes on an exercise bike through laughing. Laughing exercises the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and increasing heart rate, which any aerobic exercise will do (6). It probably improves coordination of brain functions, which increases alertness and memory, and helps clear the respiratory tract from coughing (8). Laughter increases blood oxygen; and strengthens internal muscles by tightening and releasing them (6). One doctor says that 20 seconds of laughing works the heart as hard as three minutes of hard rowing (8). My friends who are rowers say that this is practically impossible, but the fact that research indicates that laughing gives you that much of a workout means it must be good for you, even if not to such an extent. Laughter is a very complex physical process. There are theories on how to classify what we find humorous, which in turn makes us laugh. But even if these categories are correct, there are other things that cause laughter. Any extreme emotion can make people laugh, which is sometimes why we laugh in what are considered socially inappropriate moments (like funerals or car accidents). Someone else laughing also triggers laughter, so it really is contagious. There is a great deal of research that indicates that laughter is healthy for you in a variety of ways, such as boosting the immune system and reducing stress. So if you feel like you're getting sick or you

don't have much energy, stop worrying about going to the gym or the health center. You just need to find funnier friends.

Throughout history, a person can find references in literature to the benefit and value of laughter. People have always enjoyed a good laugh and still do, but the act of laughing not only makes you feel good, it is actually good for you. There has been a great deal of effort put into trying to understand what makes people laugh, but that is beyond the scope of this paper due to its complexity and variety. What makes people laugh is not nearly as important as it is that everyone should try to find ways to laugh every day just for the health benefits. Like exercise and diet are important parts of a healthy existence, so laughing should be something everyone strives to have time for in their daily routines. Laughing is remarkable beneficial for you physically, mentally, therapeutically, as well as aesthetically.

What is laughter? Laughter is a form of eustress that releases those bad and distressful emotions that cause harmful chemical effects on the body (Berk & Tan 1996). Laughter is like an exercise; that is why your stomach sometimes feels sore after a good belly laugh. Just as in exercise, there are two stages to laughter: the arousal phase--when the heart rate increases--and the resolution phase--when the heart rests. A person's heart can reach up to 120 beats per minute (bpm) when laughing. Laughing can lower your blood pressure, increase vascular flow, and boost the immune system. It gives the diaphragm, abdominal, intercostal, respiratory accessory, and facial muscles a complete workout. Some people, depending on how they laugh, may even use their arm, leg, and back muscles when laughing. Laughter also releases endorphins in the brain; these are our bodies' natural pain killers (Wooten 1995). Endorphins are neurotransmitters that attach to the same receptors in our brains as the opiates. Opiate drugs not only cause us to lose touch with reality, but they also numb pain. When we laugh, it releases the endorphins in our brain; thus, laughing is like taking opium or morphine without the adverse side effects (Kalat 1995).

The Benefits of Laughter Throughout history, a person can find references in literature to the benefit and value of laughter. People have always enjoyed a good laugh and still do, but the act of laughing not only makes you feel good, it is actually good for you. There has been a great deal of effort put into trying to understand what makes people laugh, but that is beyond the scope of this paper due to its complexity and variety. What makes people laugh is not nearly as important as it is that everyone should try to find ways to laugh every day just for the health benefits. Like exercise and diet are important parts of a healthy existence, so laughing should be something everyone strives to have time for in their daily routines. Laughing is remarkable beneficial for you physically, mentally, therapeutically, as well as aesthetically. One research study (Berk, Felton, Tan, Bittman, & Westengard, 2001) was conducted in which the experimental group viewed a comedy program for sixty minutes while the control group was allowed to rest comfortably in chairs, and magazines were provided for them to assure that they had a relaxed environment. Both groups were continually hooked up to a three way stop clock that allowed the researcher to run a saline drop as well as take blood samples. Blood samples were taken ten minutes before the regiment began to establish a baseline, and again thirty minutes into the program as well as thirty minutes after the program ended, and again the next day (12 hours after the program). Both groups were tested on the same day at the same time and blood samples were taken at the same intervals. The experimental group was shown to have significant increases in immunoglobulin, several types of T cells, total white blood cell count, and natural killer cell activity. All of these levels remained elevated over the baseline the next dayl In subsequent testing of the same subjects the experimental group showed a surge in growth hormone in anticipation of the comedy program which was concluded to be unique to laughter. All of these changes are biologically beneficial and worth noting. This study was done on a relatively small sample, but the results were quite positive. There are more physical benefits to laughter (Mora-Ripoll, 2010) including the exercise that it provides to a wide range of muscles. Laughing has also been linked to improved respiration which may be an effect of the exercise it provides to the diaphragm. Another positive outcome of laughter is that is

stimulates circulation and that is good for overall health and is also a result of the exercise provided. It is more effective than exercise alone at reducing stress hormones. Laughing has also been linked to enhance mental functioning. Other physical benefits worth noting are an increase in the immune systems defenses, and an elevated pain threshold. An experiment done on humor (Szabo, 2003) in which participants were tested weekly for three weeks, and told they would be doing a variety of physical and passive activities, but they were not specifically told what they would be doing each week. To eliminate expectation bias participants were told to come in athletic attire to all sessions. Five minutes before the participants started the weekly activity and five minutes after they completed the activity they were given two tests to evaluate both mood, and anxiety levels. The first week the participants ran. The second week they watched a stand-up comedian, and the third week they watched a documentary. All of these activities were performed for twenty minutes and the result was that exercise and humor had a positive effect on mood and anxiety. The anxiety lowering effects in this study were higher from twenty minutes of stand-up comedy than from exercise. It was noted, however, that further study is necessary. Psychological benefits of laughter (More-Ripoll, 2010) are wide ranging, it seems everything from anxiety to ones sense of well-being can be improved. Also associated with laughter is the reduction of stress and tension. Laughter helps counteract symptoms of depression which may only be short term, but never the less is still helpful. Anyone who has ever laughed can attest to the face that it elevates mood, but it also raises selfesteem, and makes people feel more hopeful. Laughter is also said to increase energy and vigor. The act of laughing can also enhance memory, and elevate creative thinking. The advantages of laughing have wide spread effects for not only the person laughing, but also on their relationships. Laughter can be contagious and when it spreads it also spreads the benefits. One experiment (Gelkopf, et al., 1994) in which was building on prior experiments has shown that shared laughter promotes feelings of warmth and belonging as well as a friendlier atmosphere. The theory was that laughter is a social facilitator, so the experiment would be conducted on people diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. Thirty four patients were split into a control group and an experimental group. The experiment was conducted over a three month period in which patients were shown movies

twice a day, five times a week. The control group was shown a variety of movies including comedies to keep them from seeing exclusively serious movies. The experimental group was only shown comedies. Both groups were evaluated on functionality before and after showings. The evidence indicated that the experimental group felt an increase in environmental support both emotionally and instrumentally. Laughter had changed the social environment by making the patients feel better about their caretakers. More evidence that laughter is therapeutically valuable (Bennett, Seller, Rosenberg, & McCann, 2003) can be seen by looking at the natural killer cells, which help the immune system. These natural killer cells have been shown to be more active following episodes of laughter. These natural killer cells are particularly important against diseases like cancer and HIV. The evidence points toward a correlation between the reduction of stress, and the increase in the activity of natural killer cells. Correlation does not mean causation, but the matter deserves more investigation. There is therapeutic research that has been identified in multiple areas of healthcare (MoreRipoll, 2010) including, but not limited to oncology, immunology, cardiology and endocrinology. A study on likability (Reyson, 2006) was conducted in which 150 college psychology students viewed various videos of twelve actors who were filmed in three different ways. The first way they were filmed was laughing while reading. The second way they were filmed was still reading, but this time they simulated laughter. The final way in which they were filmed was just reading with no laughter involved. The students responses to these videos on a likability scale were more favorable for the videos of the people laughing regardless of whether or not the laughter was genuine. This may seem superficial, but the fact is people are making judgments constantly both consciously and subconsciously and most people whether they admit it or not, would prefer to be liked. The face that people may see other people in a more favorable light is just one more positive aspect of laughter. Given all of the evidence it seems safe to say that laughter is more than just a fleeting moment of joy, and it is actually a healthy endeavor. Everyone has their own individual sense of humor, but in this day and age there is definitely something available for everyone. This is confirmation that laughter is good for the mental and the physical health of people, and that is has therapeutic value, as well being aesthetically pleasing.

On average children laugh 400 times per day, and adults only laugh 15 times per day. So if laughter is so good, why are we not doing more of it? Maybe there should be a laughing room added to the many health clubs in our nation. Although this might sound crazy, laughing clubs have already been started. Madan Kataria in Bombay, India started the first of the Laughing Clubs International in March of 1995. In a years time eighty clubs had spread throughout India, and Kataria hopes other countries will follow their lead. The members of these clubs generally gather in the park in the morning before work. They raise their arms in the air, to erase inhibitions, and start with Ho-ho, ha- ha, Silent laughter with mouth closed, and then Silent laughter with mouth open. Some of the laughing clubs also incorporate jogging with their laughing. When asked why they did not just tell jokes to laugh he replied "at first we did take the help of jokes, but the stock of good jokes was over after about 15 days. After that, stale and silly jokes came. Camel jokes, vulgar jokes. It was no good." Members of the laughing clubs say they feel better, some say they have even lost weight, others say they are not depressed, and still others say it has helped to get out of the house, and meet people. Whether or not it is the laughter exercise, the physical exercise, or just being with other people, we all know that when we laugh we simply feel better (Roach 1996). People should think of laughter as part of a healthy routine and try to find time in their schedule to enjoy something funny every day. Laughter should be used as a coping mechanism for stress, though it seems to only be used as an outlet for the emotion produced by humor or happiness.Do we laugh because we are happy, or are we happy because we laugh? Both of these are probably true, but we only exercise the former. Laughter is a fascinating phenomena that works like a medicine. Although most drugs effect everyone differently, laughter is always the same. It exercises your entire body causing you to feel relaxed and pain free. The fact that laughter is good for one's health should be quite evident. So why not laugh? When one laughs, it is like taking a drug, yet there is no such thing as an overdose or, "laughter toxicity," as Dr. Madan Kataria says. Maybe we can now say "A laugh a day keeps the doctor away."

Works Cited internet Bennett, M.P., Zeller, J.M., Rosenberg, L., & McCann, J. (2003). The effect of mirthful laughter on stress and natural killer cell activity. Alternative

Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9 (2), 38-45. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 306813831). http://wf2dnvr2.webfeat.org/ Gelkopf, Mare, Sigal, Mireea, Richard, & Kramer. (1994). Therapeutic use of humor to improve social support in an instituationalized schizophrenic inpatient community. The Journal of Social Psychology, 134(2), 175-82. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 5951265). http://wfdnvr2.webfeat.org/ Mora-Ripoll, R.. (2010). The therapeutic value of laughter in medicine. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 16(6), 56-64. Retrieved October 15, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2195786711). http://wf2dnvr16.webfeat.org/ Szabo, A. (2003). The acute effects of humor and exercise on mood and anxiety. Journal of Leisure Research, 35(2), 152-162. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 348082591) http://wf2dnvr2.webfeat.org/ The Laughter - Immune Connection. Revised November, 1996 Berk LS, Tan SA. http://www.hospitalclown.com/Past%20Issues/Final%20PDFs/Vol%202-2Berk.pdf

Books Berk, L.S., Felton, D.L., Tan, S.A., Bittman, B.B., & Westengard, J. (2001). Modulation of neuroimmune parameters during the eustress of humor associated mirthful laughter. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(2), 62-72, 74-6. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 69861930). Reyson, S. (2006). A New Predictor of Likability: Laughter. North American Journal of Psychology, 8(2), 373-382. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Wooten R.N., Patty, Compassionate Laughter: Jest for your Health!, Salt Lake ... London, Thorsons, 1995 Kalat, James W. (1995). "Synapses, Drugs, and Behavior". Pat Gadban & Richard Flyer (Eds.), Biological Psychology (87). California: Brooks/Cole.

1)How Stuff Works, "How Laughter Works". 2)Body Manifestations, by Dr. Sarfaraz K Niazi, 2/9/94. 3)American Scientist, Jan-Feb 1996. "Laughter", by Robert Provine. 4)"The Best Medicine", by Raj Kaushik, from The Halifax Herald Limited, 1/20/02. 5)Nature Science Update, "A Serious Article about Laughter", by Sara Abdulla. 6)Laughing Out Loud to Good Health 7)Bartleby.com, using the Colombia Encyclopedia as a reference. 8)MDA Publications, Quest, Volume 3, Number 4, Fall 1996. "Is Laughter the Best Medicine?" by Carol Sowell.

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