Science
tells us reasons why laughter is the best medicine
Why
do you think laughter is healthy?
Do
you laugh a lot? How could you laugh more?
We
know that laughter is one of the best ways for decreasing stress. And science backs
that up. Research about laughter shows that laughter is a potent
drug. It has the contagious power that does many good things for our
minds and bodies.
Laughter
is a potent endorphin releaser. Laughing with others puts out
endorphins into the brain. Endorphins are our feel-good chemicals. The more of
these chemicals in our brain the healthier we are. Laughter is a positive drug.
Laughter
makes us closer to other people. The endorphin effect explains why
laughter is so contagious. It spreads a feeling of closeness and safety. Each
person’s brain triggers good feelings in the other people’s brains and
we feel good. It’s like a game of endorphin dominoes. That’s why when someone
starts laughing, others will laugh even if they don’t know what everyone is
laughing about.
Not
all laughter is the same. There are differences in how we perceive funny
things. For example, joyous laughter is different to laughing at other people
or gag laughter. Each type of laughter connects different parts of our brains.
What this means is that laughter helps grow strong connections between parts of
the brain. This is because our brains work to understand what type of
communication is happening.
Laughter
is important for relationships. Women laughed about 126% more than men.
But men seem to instigate laughter the most. That is interesting because
it shows how relationships are made and kept. Women think that humor is a
top-three positive trait for a man. And men often think that women who
laugh a lot (i.e. laugh at men’s jokes) are more interesting than those who
don’t. So couples who laugh together say they have better
relationships.
Laughter
has an effect similar to drugs to reduce depression. Laughing causes the same
brain chemical that drugs use to decrease depression.
Laughter
protects your heart. Nobody knows exactly why this happens. But it seems that
laughing reduces stress and decreases the chemicals that cause heart problems.
Regular, strong laughter should be part of every program to reduce heart
disease.
Try
to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest
meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and
have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the
reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary
depending on how they are used.
The
answers are below the table.
backs
that up
|
A
|
1
|
Very
strong, powerful
|
potent
|
B
|
2
|
Proves,
is evidence, proof, supports an idea or thinking, to support something or
someone else
|
contagious
|
C
|
3
|
An
action that causes something to happen
|
endorphin
|
D
|
4
|
A
small action that causes a bigger one to happen, an action that starts
something
|
triggers
|
E
|
5
|
Something
typical or usual in someone or something
|
perceive
|
F
|
6
|
A
chemical in the brain that makes us feel good/positive
|
instigate
|
G
|
7
|
How
we think about or view something, our opinion or view on a subject
|
trait
|
H
|
8
|
Easily
spreads from one person to the next like cold or sickness
|
A=2,
B=1, C=8, D=6, E=4, F=7, G=3, H=5
Some
example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they
are used in the reading to help you understand better.
1.
The
pollution over the city is backed up by the pollution reading which
shows a lot more chemicals in the air.
2.
Stay
inside because the storm will be potent.
3.
If
you are sick please wear a mask because your cold is contagious.
4.
I
love running, it increases the endorphins in my brain.
5.
Seeing
my high school teacher triggered many good memories.
6.
Most
people perceive Gangnam Seoul as a place full of plastic surgery and the
best schools.
7.
The
government’s plan to increase tax on alcohol instigated a lot of anger.
8.
A trait
of people from that city is they like to cheat people.
Some
questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your
answer.
1.
Does
your experience of laughter also back up today’s story? Give an example.
2.
What
other things are potent for making us feel happy or positive?
3.
If
laughter is contagious then what other feelings are contagious?
Does this change your perception about who you should spend time with?
4.
What
things do you do to increase the endorphins in your brain?
5.
What
triggers laughter for you?
6.
Are
you good at instigating jokes and laughter? Describe someone you know
who is.
7.
What
are your positive traits? What do you want to be positive traits
in your life?