June 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:The Christian Science Monitor
What’s your pet laughing at?
May 3, 2006
But new research suggests dogs do something else when they're happy and playful: They laugh. (We're not joking!) www.csmonitor.com
Humor in health care: Irreverent or invaluable?
Facente A.
Learn how laughter can improve your patient's outlook and possibly his
outcome. Nursing. 2006 Apr;36(4):64hn6-7
Brain Briefings
Humor, Laughter and the Brain,
December 2001
Already some small studies hint that the brain activity from humor may have a medical benefit. For example, human tests have found some evidence that humorous videos and tapes can reduce feelings of pain, prevent negative stress reactions and boost the brain's biological battle against infection. www.sfn.org
Communication Research Reports
"I Laughed so Hard My Side Hurts, or is That an Ulcer?" The Influence of
Work Humor on Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout Among Print Media
Employees
By Avtgis, TA; Taber, KR
Communication Research Reports, 2006, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 13-18
ABC News
Laughter May Indeed Be the Best Medicine
May 10, 2006
It's a small study, and not likely to be embraced by everyone, but lead researcher Lee Berk says it's very convincing, and the changes take place "at the chemical level." The rewards, including the "feel good" attitude resulting from the increased supply of endorphins, can last up to 24 hours, he adds. http://abcnews.go.com
Statesman.com
A chuckle a day keeps the doctor away
May 14, 2006
"The benefits of laughter are similar to exercise," says lead researcher Lee Berk of Loma Linda University. "Laughter has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Blood pressure is lowered overall and resting heart rate decreases. Additionally, the immune system appears to get tuned up." www.statesman.com
Livearticles.org
What Makes You Laugh?
By Kare Anderson, May 25, 2006
Several researchers, including John Allen Paulos, author of _Mathematics and Humor_ discovered that when we attempt to understand puns, we process them in left side of the brain. Yet more complex, non-wordplay jokes are sent to the right side of the brain to comprehend, triggering many more parts of the brain along the way. www.livearticles.org
AATH in the NEWS:
PoughkeepsieJournal.com
Make yoiur health a laughing matter,
May 7, 2006
Steve Wilson (AATH BOD member), founder of the Ohio-based World Laughter Tour, is working on a program to weave laughter therapy into hospice care. www.poughkeepsiejournal.com
abc News
Ha Ha! Today Is International Laughter day
By Jessica Golden, May 5, 2006
"There's no doubt that laugher is a good thing," he (psychology professor, Robert R. Provine) said. ... "But I think there are a lot of presumed medical effects that have been created from social circumstances and by the media." (e-zine ed. note: Steve Wilson, AATH BOD member quoted in this article) http://abcnews.go.com
Canada.com
People of all ages find laughter reduces stress
By Eric Shackleton,
May 6, 2006
As for health benefits - such as improved ability to concentrate, or better personal relations with co-workers - "I would associate those with settings (clubs) and not laughing itself," says Provine. (E-zine Ed. note: AATH BOD member, Steve Wilson, mentioned in this article) http://bodyandhealth.canada.com
Courier News
May 2006
Photo of Paula Hartman representing AATH at a New Jersey based Chamber event. www.c-n.com
PrincetonInfo.com
Laughter, No Laughing Matter
By Joan Crespi,
May 3, 2006
Health guru Dr. Andrew Weil says of laughter, "I think it is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, and preliminary research suggests laughter may also boost immunity, relieve pain, lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, and help protect against heart disease." (E-zine ed. note: AATH and several members featured in this article). www.princetoninfo.com
Washingtonpost.com
Humor, Rhymes With Tumor
By Jennifer Huget, May 23, 2006
Disease-centered humor is not for everyone, acknowledges Allen Klein, (E-zine Ed. note: President of AATH) who began writing about humor and illness after losing his 34-year-old wife to a rare liver disease. Klein, author of "The Healing Power of Humor" (Tarcher, 1989) and "The Courage to Laugh" (Tarcher, 1998), says that life-challenging matters such as cancer "are not funny in themselves, but funny things happen" during their course. www.washingtonpost.com
Gwinnett Daily Post
Laughter a good tool for longevity
May 24, 2006
Please take life seriously, but take yourself lightly. That bit of wisdom was dispensed by a man wearing a ridiculous-looking Groucho Marx nose and faux eyeglasses. His name was (E-zine ed. note: AATH member) Israel (Izzy) Gesell. www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Oak Park School
World Laughter Day
May 8, 2006
(E-zine ed. note: AATH member) Bob “Hubba Jubba” Moss reports that he is committing himself to pull off salute to the World Laughter Day.
HUMOR in the NEWS:
ASU Web Devil
Sepessy: Finals stress? Just laugh it off
By Celeste Sepessy
May 1, 2006
But also, don't overdo it: People have been known to have heart attacks and strokes from laughing too hard. I think we've all felt that as a real possibility at some point. www.statepress.com
InsideBayArea.com
Laugh, and your kids laugh with you,
April 30, 2006
Many parents have learned the importance of having a good sense of humor as part of their parenting style. When Mom and Dad "lighten up" from their more serious demeanor, so will the kids. www.insidebayarea.com
The Salt Lake Tribune
Kirby: Laughter a way of dealing with tragedy
By Robert Kirby,
May 3, 2006
Laughter is a question of personal balance, something human beings aren't good at. I prefer to err on the side of humor. More human misery has been caused by taking things too seriously than by not taking them seriously enough. www.sltrib.com
Daily News Boroughs
Smirnoff’s raising spirits
By Tirdad Derakhshani,
May 7, 2006
Smirnoff says that what really matters in his act is the healing message he wants to spread, not the specific jokes. www.nydailynews.com
Globegazette.com
Cancer victim’s prescription for recovery: “Make Me Laugh”
By Julie Birkedal,
May 8, 2006
Through her harrowing ordeal, Marsters strived to practice laughter, living her motto: “Laughter gives seriousness a break.” www.globegazette.com
StarTribune.com
Theater review: ‘Red Noses’ by Ten Thousand Things
By Graydon Royce,
May 8, 2006
"Red Noses" is a warm tale about a priest who preached laughter in the face of disaster. www.startribune.com
WTOC11
Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Cancer Treatment
May 9, 2006
For Kate Lavandusky, laughter is the best medicine. She says it was a good sense of humor and strong support from her family that helped her through a tough battle with advanced kidney cancer. www.wtoctv.com
MidDay
When laughter kills
By Naudita Puri,
May 9, 2006
Artistic freedom and creativity is being closely monitored by the new self proclaimed moral guards of Iraq. Two Iraqi actors, Faud Radi (20) and his colleague Haidar Jawad (25) were killed on April 26. Their crime? Staging children’s shows. web.mid-day.com
Middle East Times
Zimbabweans get relief in witty, subversive e-mails
By Josephat Moyo (pseudonym),
May 4, 2006
Faced with catastrophic economic crisis, Zimbabweans are finding some relief from their general misery in witty e-mails and mobile phone text jokes about President Robert Mugabe and his government. www.metimes.com
The Edmond Sun
Cancer survivor’s glass remains full
By Mallery Nagle,
May 10, 2006
“My philosophy is good, better, best,” she said. “It’s finding fun, humor and faith every day. If you find the best in a good day, it just gets better.” www.edmondsun.com
Time—South Pacific
After the Resurrection
By Daniel Williams,
May 8, 2006
Webb and Russell were still trapped eight days later, when Time went to press, but in the meantime they apparently kept cracking jokes. www.time.com
P R Leap
Create a “Thank God it’s Monday” workplace using humor and appreciation
May 14, 2006
Laughter is one of the most effective stress busters and morale builders available and when combined with appreciation and praise can literally change the culture of any organization for the better. www.prleap.com
MyWestTexas.com
Battery B undaunted after a year of combat in Iraq
By Bob Campbell,
May 14, 2006
When asked how they dealt with the possibility of death, Dominguez said humor was indispensable. "You kid around about it and handle it with a lot of laughter," the 32-year-old Midland police patrolman said. www.mywesttexas.com
Toronto Star
Laughing to laugh
By Kenneth Kidd,
May 8, 2006
Michael Abraham, a documentary filmmaker, claims Laughter Yoga helped him get over a recent bout of depression. www.thestar.com
News Wales
Wales puts focus on healthy minds,
May 10, 2006
Good mental health was one of the key targets set in the Welsh Assembly Government's strategy, Health Challenge Wales, and National Healthy Living Week activities will include laughter workshops, tackling stress and confidence building. www.newswales.co.uk
delawareonline
Laughter’s medicine
May 16, 2006
A good laugh has even been associated with a reduction in distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety and stress) and lower blood pressure. www.delawareonline.com
Northern Life
Laughter is the best medicine
By Heidi Ulrichsen,
May 15, 2006
One of the best cures for stress, besides prioritizing, is laughter, she says. www.northernlife.ca
The Sheboygen Press
Sherri Byrand column: Sometimes, laughter is the only medicine
May 7, 2006
I looked at my extra time at home as a chance to up my chuckle intake. Norman Cousins once said, "Laughter is a form of internal jogging. It moves your internal organs around. It enhances respiration. It is an igniter of great expectations." www.sheboygan-press.com
All Headline News
Sister Says Laughter Helped Kylie Minogue Recover From Cancer
By Joanne Wypior,
May 15, 2006
International pop sensation Kylie Minogue has successfully beaten breast cancer with the help of laughter, according to her sister Danii. http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7003582254
Sunderland Today
Laughter—the best medicine,
May 16, 2006
It's true what they say – laughter is the best form of medicine," the lead clown doctor added. www.sunderlandtoday.co.uk
KKTV.com
Laughter: The Best Medicine?
By Lauri Martin,
May 2006
If you need another reason to chuckle, some researchers said that laughing 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn up to 50 calories, and they believe it can fight stress, increase the body's immune system, and even help diabetics reduce their blood sugar levels. www.kktv.com
Blogcritics.org
BabyFirst TV: Entertaining Babies So You Don’t Have To
By Dawn Olsen,
May 17, 2006
From my own experience, I have seen my two-year-old become aware of the nuances of humor, empathy and outright silliness watching television programs geared for children. http://blogcritics.org
The New York Times
Lew Anderson, 84, Clarabell the Clown and a Bandleader, Dies
By Douglas Martin,
May 17, 2006
Lew Anderson, whose considerable success as a musician, arranger and bandleader paled before the celebrity he achieved as Clarabell the Clown, Howdy Doody's sidekick on one of television's first children's shows, died on Sunday in Hawthorne, N.Y. www.nytimes.com
The Herald Standard
Humor helps us cope, contends expert
By Francis Borsodi Zajac,
May 19, 2006
Feeley rounded out the day, offering people an opportunity to laugh at themselves and each other, noting, "I am here today to talk to you about a serious disease running rampant in the United States and around the world - HDD, which stands for humor deficit disorder. www.heraldstandard.com
USATODAY.com
Laughing in the face of cancer
By Liz Szabo,
May 23, 2006
Survivors say there are unspoken rules to cancer humor. No one appreciates mean-spirited mockery, Blum says. And Engelberg acknowledges there are limits to what she will laugh about. She never jokes about her concern for her 9-year-old son or her sorrow at imagining him without a mother. www.usatoday.com
The Index-Journal
‘Sista Smoke’ laughs way through tragedy
May 23, 2006
Just a few months after her 9-year-old son Michael G. Thomas died unexpectedly from a heart attack in 2002, Thomas said she was able to turn her grieving energies into something that not only would help her cope, but could reach other people through laughter. www.indexjournal.com
Dakota View
Who Was That Laughing?
By Raymond J. Keating
Writing a few years ago in Touchstone magazine about a period of chronic pain in his life, Leon Podles noted that his wife tried some Katherine Hepburn screwball comedies. Podles observed that "the brain cannot laugh and feel pain at the same time." It is noted in Proverbs 17:22: "A joyful heart is good medicine." www.dakotavoice.com
Tonight Western Cape
Exploration of laughter is probably the best cure for melancholy
By Rafiek Mammon,
May 19, 2006
"To meditate just after you have laughed so cosmically makes one tingle all over. Your whole body sings. There is definitely a physiological and a mental state that needs to be understood about the concept of laughter." http://tonight.co.za
The Guardian
Laughter is the best medicine
By Sally Cole,
May 30, 2006
“Having a good laugh makes me feel good. Not only is it liberating and freeing, it’s a release from stress and anxiety,” says Dunphy, a pastoral care worker who assists grieving families. www.theguardian.pe.ca
Washingtonpost.com
Humor, Rhymes With Tumor
By Jennifer Huget
May 23, 2006
Research hasn't yet proved that laughter can play a role in curing any disease, despite the case laid out by Norman Cousins in his 1979 book, "Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient." Richard Penson, the clinical director of medical and gynecological oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, notes that there's "woefully little literature" on the relationship between cancer and humor. www.washingtonpost.com
Seattlepi.com
Are you an expert in what makes people laugh?
By Dr. Joyce Brothers,
May 31, 2006
Do you appreciate the stress-reducing qualities of an amusing story or the health benefits of a funny joke? Take this quiz and find out the truth behind titters and belly laughs. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com
The World of HUMOR
HUMOR IN THE NEWS: RELATED ARTICLE
The Times of India
Mind Set: Happiness Is Within
April, 2006
Pleasure has to do with enjoyment through the five senses and is dependent on circumstances, objects and people. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
News-Tribune.net
What would happen if we ceased pursuing happiness?
By Terry Cummins,
April 29, 2006
Sensory Logic, a research company, studies customer facial expressions (reactions of the 23 facial muscles) in response to commercials and products. They can discern the difference between a true smile and a fake one. The upper eyelids relax during a true smile. www.news-tribune.net
BBC News
The Science of Happiness
By Mike Rudin,
April 30, 2006
A new six-part BBC series, starting this week, looks at the newest research from around the world to find out what could it be that makes us happy. http://news.bbc.co.uk
Philadelphia Inquirer
Treating unhappiness
By Ronald W. Dworkin,
May 2, 2006
Instead of finding happiness through a better life, many people now handle the due stress of life with medication. To the extent that they do, they are simply following the doctors' lead.www.philly.com
Children Now
Teaching the art of happiness
By Social Claire,
May 3, 2006
But on a serious note, wouldn't it be great if teaching positivity to children helped develop much happier adults than our previous Prozac generations? Now that would really be something to smile about. www.childrennow.co.uk
Guardian Unlimited
Money can’t buy happiness--survey
May 3, 2006
Eight out of ten of those questioned thought the Government's main aim should be to make people happier rather than wealthier. www.guardian.co.uk
BBC News
Searching the brain for happiness
By Dr. Morton L Kringelbach
But now, in a new BBC Two series called The Happiness Formula, neuroscientists say happiness is tangible and the result of brain activity - you can see it and even measure it .http://news.bbc.co.uk
Spiked-Culture
Happiness and its discontents
By Daniel Ben-Ami,
May 4, 2006
The idea that happiness should be a primary social goal is actually sinister. It ignores the fact that society has typically progressed when people feel restless and discontent. www.spiked-online.com
Journal and Courier Online
Lifestyle key to employee happiness, conferees told
By Max Showalter,
May 5, 2006
Will Miller, a local author, humorist, therapist and campus minister, gave a keynote speech at Thursday's symposium and told his audience that human beings need a balanced diet of everything, including faith, family and the value of the work they do. www.jconline.com
BBC News
Staying happier for longer
By Professor Martin Seligman
May 9, 2006
Overall then there is good evidence that several simple exercises increase happiness and decrease depression. http://news.bbc.co.uk
The Economic Times
Belief is crucial to happiness
By Vithal C Nadkarui,
May 11, 2006
Belief, however misguided or even delusional, is crucial to a person’s perceived state of happiness. That’s why choosing the fuller half of the glass makes better survival sense. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Loudoun Times-Mirror
A life of happiness: Woman with Down Syndrome lives life to the fullest
By Lynn Wolstenholme,
May 9, 2006
Cheryl Bowman put everything she had into teaching her daughter to have high self-esteem, happiness and an optimistic attitude. www.timescommunity.com
BBC News
The undervalued component of happiness
By Ilona Boniwell,
May 9, 2006
Happiness in lay terms emerged in six different forms: relationships, contentment, security and money, health, transcendence and fulfillment. http://news.bbc.co.uk
Blogcritics.org
Scientists Discover How to Measure Happiness Exactly
By Howard Dratch
May 13, 2006
Social scientists measure happiness simply by asking people how happy they are. http://blogcritics.org
BBC News
Happiness and public policy
May 17, 2006
If we want to become still happier, we need a new strategy from the one pursued over the last 50 years - we need to put human relationships first. http://news.bbc.co.uk
GuardOnline.com
Lipschitz: Happiness is key
By Janice Fae Mitchell,
May 19, 2006
“The key to being independent is to be happy. Happiness is the key to longevity,” Lipschitz said. www.guardonline.com
The Boston Globe
C’mon, get happy!
By David Mehegan,
May 20, 2006
‘‘Happiness is a property of events, not something in and of itself. It’s a compass. What good is a compass that is always stuck on north? We are meant to move between happiness and unhappiness, and the game of life is to try to get over to happiness as often as possible, knowing that you will inevitably come back to unhappiness as well.’’ www.boston.com
Deutsche Welle
Happiness Is Danish
By Irene Bluche,
May 21, 2006
"In order to be really happy in life, we also need difficulties," he said. "Only in overcoming challenges do we maintain our physical and mental fitness, and that keeps us feeling good." http://www.dw-world.de
The News-Sentinel
How to encourage happiness in your spouse
By Richard Carlson,
May 22, 2006
The truth is, you cannot make your husband happy, and whenever we attach our personal happiness to anyone else's happiness, no matter who it is, (especially those we love), we set ourselves up for our own unhappiness. We end up fighting a battle that cannot be won. www.fortwayne.com
ContraCostaTimes.com
Happiness: Accentuate the positive to eliminate the negative
By Virginia Anderson,
May 22, 2006
"The positive things that we do and think can have a similar effect on neurotransmitters in the brain as do prescription drugs used to treat mood disorder," said Dr. Lara Stepleman, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and health behavior at the Medical College of Georgia. www.contracostatimes.com
BBC News
The health benefits of happiness
By Mark Easton,
May 23, 2006
Andrew Steptoe, the British Heart Foundation Professor of Psychology at University College London, has found that happier people also have greater protection against things like heart disease and stroke. http://news.bbc.co.uk
BBC News
Scientists’ short-cut to happiness
By Mark Eason,
May 24, 2006
In our opinion poll we asked whether people would take pills that made them happy if there were no side-effects. Three out of four people said "no thanks". http://news.bbc.co.uk
The Northern
How I found the secret of happiness
By Brian Redhead,
May 24, 2006
The 65-year-old divorcee puts her condition down to a milestone appearance in 1996 on a BBC television programme, when she became one of three volunteer guinea pigs in an eight-week experiment led by a psychologist known as the laughter doctor. www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk
Central Chronicle
Winds of change: West rejects profit motive
Editorial,
May 27, 2006
The new Conservative mantra that 'there is more to life than money is the first time a major, traditional, center- right Westerner political force has openly rejected individualism and the profit motive. www.centralchronicle.com
If you see something you would like to share in our E-Zine, send the lead to
Bob Nozik, E-zine Editor ezine@aath.org
