Laughter Related Research: Scientifically Proven Benefits of Laughter
Yay! An actual Laughter Yoga study in Tehran. This study shows that LY is just as, if not more, effective at reducing depression than group exercise. http://www.fyiliving.com/research/laughter-yoga-and-its-effect-on-older-depressed-women/
Laughter is now shown to help dementia patients! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/19/laughter-dementia-humor-therapist_n_970034.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false
Finally, some research on laughter and endorphins! We laughers have always known this, but now we *know* it scentifically! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/science/14laughter.html?_r=1&src=tp&smid=fb-share
Why laughter is contagious
Anticipation of laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407114617.htm
Boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies.
Triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being … http://www.holisticonline.com/Humor_Therapy/humor_therapy_benefits.htm
Laughter causes the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, to dilate. This increases blood flow which, of course, is good for overall cardiovascular health. http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/laughter2.htm
Average blood flow increased 22% during laughter, and decreased 35% during mental stress. http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1318660.htm
Blood glucose levels, a key gauge for development of diabetes, became lower after participants laughed compared with after listening to a lecture.
Laughter modulates prorenin receptor gene expression in patients with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Psychosomatic Research- This article is now pay to view.
Laughter can literally change your perceptions: Professor Jack Pettigrew reports his findings on how laughter affects visual perception in the journal Clinical and Experimental Optometry. http://www.mendeley.com/research/laughter-abolishes-binocular-rivalry/
Workplace Laughter Groups positively affect personal efficacy beliefs, such as self-regulation, optimism, positive emotions and social identification. Published in The Journal of Primary Prevention. Please note the following reference: Article reference: Beckman, H., Regier, N., & Young, J. (2007), Effect of workplace laughter groups on personal efficacy beliefs, The Journal of Primary Prevention, 28, 167-182.
Reminiscing about laughter makes you laugh again and improves relationship satisfaction. http://theapp.appstate.edu/content/view/1845/42/
Employees who start the day in a good mood tend to stay that way. http://www.upenn.edu/researchatpenn/article.php?1101&bus
WebMD Heartwire article discussing the first study of laughter and blood pressure using Laughter Yoga. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/574552 Results were published in May 2008 in The Journal of
Clinical Hypertension Supplement A, Volume 10, Issue 5
Laughter and palliative care
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2713108?dopt=Abstract
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a785035256~db=all
Not a scientific study, but a write up from a colleague in Australia who has used Laughter Yoga with mentally ill patients at a local facility. http://www.hohohahaha.com/Laughter_Yoga_for_Schizophrenia_&_Bipolar_Depression.pdf