Laughter As a Cure

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Laughter As a Cure “Laughter in and of itself cannot cure cancer nor prevent cancer, but laughter can be a significant and indispensable aspect of the total fight for recovery,” notes Harold H. Benjamin, PhD., in an Internet article at www.healingcancernaturally.com. Laughter has been attributed to curing all sorts of illnesses. Researchers have long believed that positive emotions including a strong will to live, help recovery and make the fight not nearly as overwhelming. Laughter is like several rungs on the ladder to feeling better. Once you’re at the top, the climb seems more of a positive adventure rather than an uphill battle. Dr. Benjamin believes that a full range of positive emotions including hope, love, faith, determination and purpose are all a necessary part of getting well. In a recent study, psychoneuro-immunologist Lee Berk and his team at Loma Linda University in California have shown a link between exercise and laughing. According to the study, besides laughter’s boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, laughter causes shifts in appetite hormones, resembling the effects of a moderate session at the gym. In the study, Ghrelin, a hunger-regulating hormone, was measured in 14 participants before and after watching 20 minutes of comedy. Dr. Berk then measured those same participants Ghrelin levels after before and after watching distressing, violent scenes. Only after the funny session, did the elevated levels of Ghrelin “peak” to signal the brain that the body is using energy and will soon need more fuel. The study could help people with conditions that cause appetite loss, such as depression, grief, and chronic pain. These are just two of many examples of laughter as a

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