The researchers, who previously had found that the build-up for mirthful experience boosted health-protecting hormones, suggested that mirth may be a key to better physical and mental health.

Hormones tied to anticipation
In their earlier work, the researchers found that two "beneficial" hormones - depression-alleviating beta-endorphins and immunity-boosting human growth hormone - increased when volunteers anticipated watching a humorous video.

Using a similar protocol, this time they studied 16 healthy, fasting male volunteers assigned to either a control group or a group told to anticipate a humorous event. Blood drawn from both groups were taken before the event (anticipation), during the event and afterward, then analyzed for three hormones associated with stress. Chronically released high-stress hormone levels can weaken the immune system.

The levels of the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and dopac - a brain chemical that helps produce epinephrine - fell by 38 percent to 70 percent during the anticipation stage in the group told they would be having a humorous experience. A progressive pattern of decreased levels for the three hormones occurred throughout the event. – (HealthDayNews)

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Stress Centre
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April 2008
 

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