July 2, 2008 – Just planning to laugh, for example when planning to watch a funny movie, would be enough to reduce stress, says US study1.
The levels of three hormones associated with stress were measured in 16 men who were warned three days before that they would watch a funny movie.
Reductions in their levels of cortisol (39%), adrenaline (70%) and dopac (38%) were observed compared to participants in the control group who did not plan to watch a humorous movie.
Their hormone levels were measured before viewing, four times during the screening and three times after the film.
In 2006, the same team of Californian researchers had shown that the mere fact of expecting a period of laughter increased the levels of two hormones beneficial to physical and mental health: endorphins, which contribute to psychological well-being, and a growth hormone (HGH), which promotes the immune system.
Other small studies have also come to the conclusion that laughter contributes to the proper functioning of the immune system and reduces stress.2.
Emmanuelle Bergeron – PasseportSanté.net
1. Lee S, Berk LS, et al. Cortisol and Catecholamine stress hormone decrease is associated with the behavior of perceptual anticipation of mirthful laughter. Results presented during the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS).
2. For more on this, see our Laughter sheet.
