February 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. |
Humor Research:Newindpress.com
Genuine laughter is the best therapy! January 5, 2006
The researchers said that people who spontaneously laugh more are genetically superior to those who hardly ever chuckle. They could be healthier, happier, more attractive or more cooperative. www.newindpress.com
Journal of Pragmatics
Gender and Humor: The State of the Art
Volume 38, Issue 1, pages 1-142, January 2006
Edited by Helga Kotthoff
Entire issue covering gender and humor
www.sciencedirect.com
Mail&GuardianOnline
Laughter may well be the best medicine.
By Shingo Ito
January 12, 2006
"If we prove people can switch genes on and off by an emotion like laughter, it may be the finding of the century which should be worth the Nobel Prize or even go beyond that," said Murakami (70), director of Japan's Foundation for Advancement of International Science. www.mg.co.za
ScientificAmerican.com
Laughter Proves Good Medicine for Heart
January 18, 2006
"What that (this study) suggests, at the very least, is that laughter on a regular basis will undo some of the excess stress we face in our everyday lives," (Michael) Miller notes. "Patients at risk for cardiovascular disease should loosen up a bit." www.sciam.com
The Star
No joke, laughter may be the best medicine
By Shingo Ito,
January 22, 2006
Genes are usually regarded as immutable, but in reality more than 90% of them are dormant or less active in producing protein, so some types of stimulation can wake them up. (Geneticist Kazuo) Murakami’s tentative theory is that laughter is one such stimulant, which can trigger energy inside a person’s DNA, potentially helping to cure disease. http://thestar.com.my
AATH in the NEWS:
USA Today (e.d. note: publ. on the front page)
Pentagon To Families: Go ahead, laugh. By Gregg Zoroya, January 13, 2006
“We believe our program prevents hardening of the attitudes,” says Scott [AATH member, James {e.d. note}], in one of his wordplay aphorisms that beg for a rimshot. The founder and chief executive of the World Laughter Tour is psychologist Steve Wilson [AATH member & BOD {e.d. note}], who calls himself “Cheerman of the Bored.” www.usatoday.com
Hawaii Woman
Funny Finger Of Fate.
By Marcia Zina Mager,
November 2005
“Humor is a magic wand to intimacy,” she (member, Hob Osterlund) explains eloquently. “If you and I laugh together, we automatically are going to feel connected, even if we never see each other again.” www.chucklechannel.com (pdf)
Medfield Press
The Best Medicine: Duo Take Laughter to a Healing Level.
By Amanda J. Mantone,
January 19, 2006
"Ann and I have talked to about 150 senior centers throughout the U.S., and what we do is, we teach people how to reduce stress using laughter, humor, fun and play," said (e-zine editor note, AATH member) John Murphy… www2.townonline.com
USA TODAY
‘There are some things humor can’t cure’
Letter to the editor (see Humor-in-the-news USA TODAY entry below)
Allen Klein, President, AATH
January 17, 2006
Now we need to take this one step further and laugh with our enemies. As actor Alan Alda once said, "When people are laughing, they're generally not killing one another." http://usatoday.com
Book Newswire
It’s A Blog, It’s A Book, It’s A ‘Blook’
January 24, 2006
(AATH member) Noreen Braman enters the new world of “blooks” – books created from or based on blogs — with the publication of her 2005 blog based on her experience as a woman turning 50 in today’s world. www.bookcatcher.com
Kultura.hu
A humor gyógyító ereje,
January 25, 2006
AATH president Allen Klein,yar sikerek a MIDEM-en
A humor gyógyító ereje (Hungarian news article) www.kultura.hu
HUMOR in the NEWS:
AberdeenNews.com
Comedian wields laughter as weapon against cancer
(Comic has had four brain tumors)
By Angella Mettler,
January 4, 2006
"Making other people laugh was a very powerful painkiller for me," she said. "The whole time I was onstage there was no pain. The euphoria would last a good two hours after the show." www.aberdeennews.com
TheKansasCityChannel.com
KC Man Hopes Humor Will Help Keep Peace, January 3, 2006
Humor has made a believer of Logan, and he said he believes it is possible that it could save someone's life. www.thekansascitychannel.com
The Edmund Sun
Does laughter really make the best medicine?
By Carol Hartzog,
January 10, 2006
Coalman says laughter and humor are among the best and most holistic medications people can use to stave off illness, reduce stress and increase positive immune-system responses to the hazards of living in a stress-filled world. www.edmondsun.com
Embassy
Laughter in the Face of Severity. By Greg Rollins, January 11, 2006
Humour is a coping mechanism. It helps people process the suffering or fear they have experienced. It also helps people keep painful emotions at bay. www.embassymag.ca
Kingspost Times-News
Laughter yoga is a different version of the best medicine. By Nellie McNeil, January 15, 2006
Laughter is generally regarded as "internal jogging," and everyone knows the benefits of jogging. Indeed, laughter reduces stress, the evil causing most serious illnesses. (ed. note: this article states that children laugh 3-400 times per day, adults only 15. Not proven and likely untrue) www.timesnews.net
Earthtimes.org
Laughter boosts blood flow in the body, makes heart healthier: study,
January 18, 2006
“…Watching a good comedy can benefit us in the similar way we see with aerobic activity, but without the aches, pains and muscle tension associated with exercise,” said Michael Miller, lead author of the study. www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/5046.html
USATODAY
'There are some things humor can't cure', January 17, 2006
Research supports humor as a coping mechanism, but there are some things humor can't cure. It cannot cure a mother's broken heart, and it cannot cure a family's worry when a loved one is in harm's way. http://usatoday.com
COMINGSOON.net
Looking for Comedy in Albert Brooks. By Edward Douglas, January 17, 2006
Brooks explained why he decided to make this movie (“Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World”) at this time and point in his career… "After September 11, I sat in my house for a year and I was scared," One day I thought that this is insane! http://comingsoon.net
ContraCostaTimes.com
Danville man preaches, practices the power of laughter. By Linda Davis,
January 24, 2006
Laughter clubs are nothing new, but the one at the senior center is. There are more than 5,000 such clubs in 40 countries where people get together for no other reason than to have a good belly laugh -- said to have health benefits both physically and mentally. www.mercurynews.com
The World of HUMOR
HUMOR IN THE NEWS: RELATED ARTICLES
The Sidney Morning Herald
How to be happy
By Ross Gittens
January 4, 2006
But first on his (Ed Diener, professor of psychology at the University of Illinois and father of the study of wellbeing) short list of "steps people can take to ensure they are as happy as they can be" is: "We need good friends and family…www.smh.com.au
CHINAdaily
US unhappiness has risen in the past decade, January 11, 2006
The researchers surveyed 1,340 people about negative life events and found that the 2004 respondents had more troubles than those who were surveyed in 1991, the last time the study was done. www.chinadaily.com.cn
The Columbus Dispatch--Science
Light, dark and hamster happiness. By Chris DeVille,
January 10, 2006
Nelson’s research suggests that winter’s shorter days can lead not only to depression and anxiety, but to a weaker immune system. That could explain why some illnesses, such as the flu, occur more often in winter. www.columbusdispatch.com
Itar Tass
Malta is the happiest place on earth – research,
January 8, 2006
Malta is the happiest place on earth, while Zimbabwe and Ukraine seem to be the most unhappy, according to an annual World Database of Happiness complied by Rotterdam Erasmus University Prof. Ruut Veenhoven and posted on Sunday. [the US ranks #16] www.itar-tass.com
BBC News
Why Hard Work Makes People Happy,
January 2, 2006
"From our research the people who were most active got the most joy. It may sound tempting to relax on a beach, but if you do it for too long it stops being satisfying."http://news.bbc.co.uk
Citizen-Times.com
Pursuing happiness poses many questions that 'happiness research' may answer
By Gerald Le Van, January 17, 2006
As one moves upscale on the happiness-misery index, physical well-being improves. Neurophysiologists confirm a correlation between happiness and the development of antibodies, resistance to heart disease, diabetes and upper respiratory infections. It's correspondingly unhealthy downscale. Those who are anxious and depressed are more susceptible to disease. http://www.citizen-times.com
FAIRLADY
The science behind your smile, February 2006
His (Martin Seligman) plan to stop the new science (positive psychology) floating 'on the waves of self-improvement fashions' is to make sure it's anchored to positive philosophy above and to positive biology below. www.women24.com
San Francisco Chronicle
Finding happiness outside the GNP - Bhutan searching for a way to stop drift from harmony
By Charles Burress, January 24, 2006
Anyone can do it, says his Excellency Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, minister for home and cultural affairs for the Himalayan nation of Bhutan. In Bay Area public appearances, he wants to encourage others to do as his country has done, which is to seek "Gross National Happiness" more than gross national product. www.sfgate.com
Innovations Report
Unhappy marriages detrimental to self-esteem and health,
January 25, 2006
"Given the findings of this study, unhappily married individuals do not reap benefits related to overall happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and health, typically associated with marriage," the researchers said. http://www.innovations-report.de
Bob Nozik, E-zine Editor ezine@aath.org
