Monday, January 25, 2010

The Best of all Medicines

You've heard this a hundred times, I'm sure: "Laughter is the best medicine."

Apparently this isn't just a belief - it's a physiological effect that the activity of laughing has on the entire body and mind.

To take laughter apart - but not too technically or scientifically, the brain reacts to laughter as if the act of laughter has just been a 'reward' of some sort.

Laughter activates something called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. In plain English, this is a place in the brain that makes endorphins following a rewarding action or activity. Endorphins contain 'the stuff' that makes us feel better or feel elated, somehow 'lifted up.'

There are a whole bunch more brain spots, neurons and chemicals involved in the laughter process but I like the idea of laughter as being a 'rewarding activity' and the good feeling that follows laughter as being connected with 'reward.'

Sometimes, particularly when we are stressed or are afflicted with mental illness to any degree, things in life don't seem very rewarding at all.

I like to think that if we take the time to laugh, we can be rewarded. Even if we have to (just at first) manufacture a situation where laughter is possible, I think that the rewards can be worth the effort of releasing endorphins that make us feel better - even if just for a little while.

36 comments:

Unknown said...

hey buddy, You have a good post over here By the way, for alcoholics out there who need to attend AA meetings but couldn’t find one that details the AA schedule, I found a great schedule of AA’s at sober.com. I’m not affiliated with this site, I just want recovering alcoholics out there to find a comprehensive list of AA meetings just in case you are relocating or searching for an AA meeting in your new place. For the complete list of AA meetings, here’s the link: http://sober.com/aa-alcoholic-anonymous-meetings.html

Anonymous said...

Excellent, what a website it is! This website presents useful facts to us, keep it up.
Also visit my homepage : golden virginia tobacco

Anonymous said...

Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges.
It was really informative. Your website is useful. Thanks for sharing!
Also see my web page: amber leaf

Anonymous said...

I do not even know how I ended up here, but I believed this publish was once good.
I do not recognize who you're however certainly you're going to a famous blogger in the event you aren't already. Cheers!
My web site :: samson tobacco

Anonymous said...

I savour, lead to I discovered exactly what I used
to be having a look for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
My webpage :: amphora pipe tobacco

Anonymous said...

Post writing is also a fun, if you know then you can write otherwise it is complicated
to write.
Feel free to visit my webpage - golden virginia

Anonymous said...

I do consider all the ideas you have offered for your post.
They are really convincing and can definitely work.

Nonetheless, the posts are too short for novices. May just
you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time?
Thanks for the post.
Here is my website : mac baren original choice

Anonymous said...

If you want to grow your know-how simply keep
visiting this website and be updated with the most up-to-date
news update posted here.
Feel free to visit my blog - amber leaf rolling tobacco

Anonymous said...

Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness to your submit is simply spectacular and that i could think you're an expert on this subject. Well together with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with approaching post. sac longchamp besace [url=http://www.saclongchampfr2013.eu]sac longchamp blanc[/url] , Thanks one million and please continue the enjoyable work.

Anonymous said...

Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share opinions.
Great site, stick with it!
My homepage ... home remedies for acne scars on face

Anonymous said...

Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share opinions.
Great site, stick with it!
Also see my web site: home remedies for acne scars on face

Anonymous said...

certainly like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts.
Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the reality on the other hand I will certainly come again again.


Feel free to surf to my homepage - daily forex signals

Anonymous said...

I was excited to uncover this site. I wanted to thank you for your
time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely really liked every part of it
and I have you book marked to look at new stuff
in your site.

Here is my weblog - Gabriele Williemae

Anonymous said...

Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble
with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up.
Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

my weblog :: Michael Alice

Anonymous said...

Greate post. Keep posting such kind of info on
your blog. Im really impressed by it.
Hi there, You've done a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I'm confident they'll be benefited from this site.

Feel free to surf to my blog: Sommer Shad

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue about this piece of writing here
at this webpage, I have read all that, so now me
also commenting at this place.

my website; Rosalind Patricia

Anonymous said...

Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to
say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
After all I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

My blog; trena Brenna

Anonymous said...

Attractive component of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts.

Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment and even I fulfillment you get right of entry to
persistently rapidly.

my weblog; right electrician

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was a very good post. Taking a few minutes and actual
effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.


Feel free to visit my web site ... Lavada Tania

Anonymous said...

hello!,I really like your writing very so much! proportion we keep
up a correspondence extra approximately your article on
AOL? I need an expert in this house to solve my problem.
May be that's you! Taking a look ahead to look you.

My blog :: weight loss singapore fat loss fitness workout gym equipment

Anonymous said...

Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your
blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any tips and hints for beginner blog writers? I'd
definitely appreciate it.

Also visit my web site ... military camping supplies

Anonymous said...

Very soon this website will be famous amid all blogging users, due to it's pleasant articles

Also visit my web page - used boats for sale by owner

Anonymous said...

I don't even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you're going to a
famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!


Feel free to visit my web page - vitamine e

Anonymous said...

Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this
blog loading? I'm trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Also visit my blog post ... ceramic hair dryer

Anonymous said...

Hi, Neat post. There's a problem along with your website in web explorer, might check this? IE nonetheless is the market leader and a huge part of folks will leave out your fantastic writing because of this problem.

My webpage ... wine glass

Anonymous said...

Thanks very interesting blog!

Also visit my webpage - kettlebell weights

Anonymous said...

I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This post posted at this web page is truly
pleasant.

Also visit my web site: buy vinyl siding online

Anonymous said...

Undeniably consider that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be
at the net the simplest factor to take into accout of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time as other folks consider
worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and
also outlined out the whole thing without having side-effects , folks can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

Also visit my web-site; Eugene Indira

Anonymous said...

Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be at the internet the easiest factor to take into account of.
I say to you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time as folks consider concerns that they just don't know about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the whole thing without having side-effects , folks could take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thank you

Also visit my homepage :: Ceries Umbrella

Anonymous said...

Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and
would really like to have you share some stories/information.
I know my readers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel
free to send me an email.

Look into my web site - best all-inclusive resorts

Anonymous said...

This design is spectacular! You obviously know
how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos,
I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost...HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more
than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

Look into my site - ロレックスレプリカ

Anonymous said...

Spot on with this write-up, I seriously think this web site needs a lot more attention.
I'll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the info!

my site :: 激安プラダ バッグ

Anonymous said...

There is certainly a great deal to know about this topic.
I like all the points you have made.

Also visit my site :: ロレックスコピー

Anonymous said...

Hi there, after reading this remarkable post i am also
glad to share my experience here with mates.


Have a look at my website - 激安プラダ バッグ

Anonymous said...

Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on
the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?


my weblog http://greenhost.ro/index.php?do=/blog/124183/Underwater-music-player/

Anonymous said...

I savour, result in I discovered just what I used to be looking for.

You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man.
Have a great day. Bye

my website: fresh fish