January 2006
Important Notice:
Members who consult the AATH E-zine know that the editor regularly states that the association of laughter and endorphin release has not been scientifically proven. This may be changing. In a recent study, Dr. Lee Berk of Loma Linda University in Southern California demonstrates endorphin release in a group of subjects who watched a comic video. This study has gone through peer review and has been presented at a major medical meeting, however it has not yet been published nor have these findings been independently repeated by other investigators. Both need to be done before we should fully embrace this finding. However, in light of Dr. Berk’s findings, the E-zine editor will no longer be correcting authors and speakers claiming the association of laughter and endorphins. Still, we advise caution in stating this until Berk's research has been reviewed and published.
The monthly, members-only, e-zine keeps AATH members updated on the latest developments in the world of applied and therapeutic humor. Each link will open a new window for anything outside the AATH website. All web links below have been carefully checked and worked at the time of publication. If the link does not take you to the listed article, please contact the owners of that website about finding that article. Disclaimer: Published by Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. AATH accepts no responsibility for any claims, either expressed or implied, in this publication. The information and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of AATH, its officers, directors, staff, or members. |
SPECIAL YEAR END FEATURE
The top laughter, humor and happiness stories of 2005 from the world of science: A totally opinionated and completely un-scientific list from your E-Zine editor, Bob Nozik, MD
- My top story comes from the work of Michael Miller, MD from the University of Maryland. He found that laughter causes blood vessel endothelial dilatation, thereby improving circulatory and cardiovascular health.
- A study by Dr. Lee Berk shows that laughter causes endorphin release. I might have rated this number one if not for the fact that this work has not yet been published. It was presented at a meeting at the end of 2003. However, because it has not been published we must remain cautious about this exciting finding.
- In third place is Rod Martin’s investigation of the laughter/humor scientific literature for evidence for the oft-heard claim that children laugh 300-400 times per day compared to only 15 for adults. Dr. Martin’s literature review did not support this claim. In fact, what little work has been done seems to indicate that if anything, adults may laugh slightly more frequently than do children.
- Next on my list is the Stanford University study that shows women using a different part of the brain to process humor than men. The problem with this study is that no one yet knows what this finding means.
- Last, a study coming from Dublin, Ireland, shows that laughter causes a rise in blood pressure. So, we should not laugh while our blood pressure is being recorded. Other studies show that blood pressure drops for a time when we stop laughing.
Humor Research:News-Medical.net
The evolutions and functions of laughter and humor
Medical Study News,
December 7, 2005
In an important new study from the forthcoming Quarterly Review of Biology, biologists from Binghamton University explore the evolution of two distinct types of laughter - laughter which is stimulus-driven and laughter which is self-generated and strategic. www.news-medical.net
The Courier
Laughter research a first
December 23, 2005 (re. September 13, 2005 report)
A UNIVERSITY of Ballarat Doctor of Psychology student is conducting a research project hailed as an Australian first. Errin Jones, 24, is focussing on the social behaviour of humour and laughter in children with autism and Asperger's Disorder.
www.thecourier.com.au
1: Rheumatology (Oxford). 2005 Nov 30; [Epub ahead of print]
Mirthful laughter differentially affects serum pro- and anti-inflammatory
cytokine levels depending on the level of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Matsuzaki T, Nakajima A, Ishigami S, Tanno M, Yoshino S.
Department of Joint Disease and Rheumatism, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo,
Japan.
Conclusions. Our findings suggest that mirthful laughter affects the levels of serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines differentially, depending on the RA disease activity.
"We Are All Mad Here": Santayana and the Significance of Humor
Author: Wahman, Jessica
Source: Contemporary Pragmatism, Volume 2, Number 2, December 2005, pp. 73-83(11) Publisher: Rodopi
Ultimately, a sense of humor reminds us that comedy is as honest a narrative as tragedy and that the benefit in living is the fun of it.
Rx Laughter
Rx Laughter & National Cancer Institute Research Project for Adults - January 2006
The research…suggested that a child or teen who was undergoing a painful medical procedure could deal with the pain of that medical procedure significantly better while laughing at the comedy shows during their private, individual procedure.
http://www.rxlaughter.org
HUMOR in the NEWS:
ABC News
Sound of Dog's 'Laugh' Calms Other Pooches
Researchers: Canine Laugh Is Long Loud Panting Sound
December 4, 2005
When they played the sound of a dog panting over the loudspeaker, the gaggle of dogs at the shelter kept right on barking. But when they played the dog version of laughing, all 15 barking dogs went quiet within about a minute.
http://abcnews.go.com
ABC Kimberley WA
Laughter really is the best medicine
December 8, 2005
But when Clown Doctors are on ward duty, the best sort of medicine will be doled out - and that’s laughter.
www.abc.net.au
StarTribune.com
Editorial: Richard Pryor: humor with humanity
December 14, 2005
He developed in-your-face, often profanity-laced riffs that kept crowds laughing and told brutal truths about black life and racism at the same time. www.startribune.com
The Patriot Ledger
Laughter club infiltrates U.S. Pentagon
By Lindsay Taub
December 15, 2005
Col. James Scott, director of policy and programs for family readiness and family support programs, brought laughter clubs to the Pentagon in February 2004. www.patriotledger.com
WashingtonPost.com
Behaviorist: Panting Noise Is Dog Laughter
December 12, 2005
An animal behaviorist says she's figured out what dogs are doing when they make that excited panting noise while playing or anticipating a much desired walk. They're laughing.http://abcnews.go.com
The Advertiser: Adelaide Confidential
Laughter still best medicine
December 20, 2005
The use of rib-ticklers in hospitals was made famous by Patch Adams and it's a form of stand-up science practised in 15 hospitals around Australia by a team of 50 Clown Doctors. www.theadvertiser.news.com.au
NewsReleaseWire.com
Humor and Holiday Stress
December 21, 2005
Research shows that those who can look at things from a different, lighter, perspective are better able to handle higher amounts of stress. www.expertclick.com
East Texas Review
Richard Pryor: Dead Legend
December 22-29, 2005
By poking fun at the downside of life, he made us consider the ridiculousness of so many things such as racism, poisoning one’s own body with chemicals, cheap sex, homelessness, addiction, poverty. www.easttexasreview.com
TheHollywoodReporter.com
Barry won't resume weekly humor column
December 29, 2005
[Dave] Barry: I'm not going to resume my regular weekly column. I'll continue to write occasional columns for the Herald,…www.hollywoodreporter.com
The World of HUMOR
HUMOR IN THE NEWS: RELATED ARTICLES
Khaleej Times Online
Of health and happiness
By Mohammed A. R. Galadari
Dear readers, happiness and health are an ideal combination in life; and they are supplementary and complementary to each other. www.khaleejtimes.com
My DNA.COM (Austin, TX)
Relationships: Committed To Happiness?
December 6, 2005
The bottom line, say the Cornell researchers, is that having a romantic relationship makes both men and women happier - and the stronger the relationship's commitment, the greater the happiness. www.mydna.com
INQ7.net
Monks and Neuroscience
By Michael L. Tan, December 7, 2005
My guess is that you can train the brain to generate blissful and calming feelings, but how or if that bliss gets transformed into kindness and compassion still depends on your personal beliefs, but without one religion being better than the other. http://news.inq7.net
Guardian Unlimited Newspoint
Consumer capitalism is making us ill - we need a therapy state
By Madeleine Bunting,
December 5, 2005
The huge ambition of the small but growing happiness lobby is that the state resumes a role in promoting the good life, not just to chivvy us along in the global rat race, anxious and insecure. www.guardian.co.uk
Hawaii’s Severe Weather Station/Health
Therapy Features Healing Humor
By Colette P. Fox,
December 9, 2005
Hob Osterlund is a nurse who specializes in minimizing pain for the patients in her care…So she came up with an idea to bring happiness into The Queen's Medical Center…the "Chuckle Channel," a 24-hour in-house television channel running comedy routines from some of Hawaii's favorite artists. http://kgmb9.com
Love Science/Human Biology
Happiness In Old Age Depends on Attitude
By Robert Ray Britt,
December 12, 2005
"In fact, optimism and effective coping styles were found to be more important to successfully aging than traditional measures of health and wellness," Jeste said. "These findings suggest that physical health is not the best indicator of successful aging—attitude is." www.livescience.com
EurekaAlerts.org
Carnegie Mellon researchers find links between happiness and health, but questions remain
Contact Jonathan Potts,
December 14, 2005
There is growing evidence that positive emotions such as happiness are linked to good health and increased longevity, but too many questions remain unanswered to draw definitive conclusions… www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases
The Telegraph, Calcutta, India
Mona Lisa math: She’s 83% happy
By Amit Roy,
December 15, 2005
…a computer scanned the Mona Lisa, the most famous painting in the world, and concluded Leonardo da Vinci’s subject was “83 per cent happy, 9 per cent disgusted, 6 per cent fearful and 2 per cent angry”. www.telegraphindia.com
The Winchester Sun
Young volunteers vital to Operation Happiness
By Tim Weldon, December 22, 2005
Young people make up a sizable share of the more than 100 volunteers who sort, package and distribute toys, food and clothing to Clark County's less fortunate as part of Operation Happiness, which is now in its 35th year. www.winchestersun.com
Forbes.com
The Sweet Smell of…Happiness?
Her (Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky) team's 53-page review of more than 225 epidemiological, longitudinal and experimental studies strongly suggests that happiness is literally its own reward: That it breeds success, just as success can breed happiness. http://www.forbes.com
billingsgazette.com
Mental health: Gratitude can improve psychological well-being
By Dr. Phil House, December 28, 2005
Emmons' [Robert, Ph.D.] research reveals that grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. Their disposition toward gratitude enhances pleasant feeling states, while not denying the negative aspects of life.www.billingsgazette.com
Townhall.com
Happiness is in the giving, not the getting
By Star Parker,
December 26, 2005
The study turns conventional wisdom on its head by concluding that success, rather than being the means to our happiness, is rather the result of it. That is, the happier you are, the more likely you will be successful in your work and in your relationships.
www.townhall.com
Bob Nozik, E-zine Editor ezine@aath.org
