New research suggests that laughter really might be the best medicine after all.
Researchers at Oxford University have found that genuine laughter raises levels of feel-good endorphins, boosting tolerance to pain as a result.
Professor Robin Dunbar, who is one of the UK's leading evolutionary biologists, recored the amount of laughter produced when subjects watched comedy videos or comedy routines at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Their laughter levels were then compared with those who watched factual drama.
When Professor Dunbar assessed their pain tolerance he found that those who watched comedy in a group laughed the most and had a heightened tolerance for pain.
Tests included measuring how long they could stand a frozen wine cooler sleeve on their arm, and how long they could stand against a wall with their knees bent.
Researchers are confident that the effects were a result of laughter, rather than feeling good, because those who watched nature videos felt happy afterwards but were not able to tolerate increased pain.
The researchers said: "Laughing is physically very exhausting, and anything that taxes the body physically triggers endorphins as a natural response as part of the pain control mechanism."
However, only real laughter works. Professor Dunbar says: "We think the effect only comes from full-blown hearty laughter, which involves a series of sharp exhalations with no in-drawing of breath."
Previous studies have already shown that laughter boosts circulation and is good for the heart and can also help to burn calories, tone muscles and boost the immune system.
Written by
paddyandlin
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Greece has ceased production of taramasalata and hummus - definite signs of a double dip recession.
On another level, some yoga classes combine yoga and laughter and the results in pain reduction/management are measurable. I am lucky enough to be married to a naturally hilarious man - he saves various misdemeanors up, to tell me when I am particularly poorly as he knows the effect the stories will have.
Also I once had a friend to stay in the house who had not slept for two weeks due to dire insomnia and stress and sudden deep depression due to a sudden relationship breakdown, with a headache not of the 'hughes' kind. Out of desperation, after day after day of misery and no sleep for them, myself and all the children sat on them and tickled them for 15 mins, the end hysterical result from all of us, sleep pattern restored and a pepping up of routines in the right direction. much to the curiosity of the bemused GP who was helping at the time with various drugs..... when asked why they were suddenly and noticeably better over a one week period, their reply, don't need sleeping pills since I started with the tickling and laughter workshops. The tickling must have released stress and tension! It was very funny at the time, seeing the sobbing being swapped for laughter!
Thank you all well it seams laughter is the best policy oh by the way
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