Laugh it off

  Laughing young woman and blurred autumn leaves on foreground 
  Originally uploaded by Max Bolotnikov

A recent study at University College, London reveals that women who average 1 or 2 deep laughs each day reduce their risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure - and - wait for it - obesity.

In Reverse Therapy we have often observed that laughter raises endorphin levels. Which increases calm, reduces pain and decreases anxiety.

Now we know that, at least in women, laughter improves immune system function. The finding about obesity is interesting - maybe endorphin release also reduces comfort eating?

The only thing I now want to know is: are these effects greater in women because it is we men they are laughing at?

                    God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. Voltaire

Comments

[Reverse Therapist]

Very interesting. Could it not be though, at least in the case of obesity, that people who are thinner are generally happier and therefore laugh more?

[John Eaton]

Hi! (which Reverse Therapist is this?)

This is a very good, subtle, point which is entirely in line with 'Reverse Thinking'.

However, I am not sure that there is any evidence that thin people are happier.

But it could be true that people who don't use comfort eating are happier - and hence laugh more!