Archive for December, 2011

Human Aging and the Mind Body Connection – Priceless Humor and the Benefits of Laughter

Research has shown that human aging has a mind body connection that we enjoy with the benefits of laughter. Humor, priceless humor, and our response to it can have many unexpected health benefits.

Who would ever think that laughing can be so beneficial? Here are some reported health benefits of laughter and a good sense of priceless humor:

  • Stress reduction – research studies have shown that the ability to see humor, even in difficult situations, causes the reduction of stress reducing hormones in our bodies.
  • Elevates our mood – Laughing increases the release of endorphins in our bodies. This increases our sense of well being and improves our mood.
  • Boost immune system – studies show that laughter can raise the level of hormones that produce infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the effectiveness of immune cells.
  • Enhance brain functioning – as you experience a bout of laughter, the increase in your circulation also effects the amount of blood to your brain. Laughing stimulates both sides of the brain, so it also increases our ability to focus and retain information: the result is improved mental clarity and attentiveness. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Mind-Body Connection in Health

Neurotransmitters, Receptors, and Prescription Drugs

Science has made some amazing breakthrough discoveries in the last fifty years or so. Television, internet, cell phones, technological advancements – all of these have drastically changed our lives, for better or for worse. But in the area of human health, perhaps the most profound discovery of all has been made regarding the mind-body connection in human physiology.

The term mind-body connection is more than just a new-age catchphrase. It feels kind of strange to think about this, but science has shown us that every thought or emotion you experience can actually be boiled down to the binding of certain tiny molecules called neurotransmitters in your nervous system.

It happens at lightning speed. When you have a specific thought or emotion, synapses in your nervous system are firing, causing a chain reaction through the release of neurotransmitters. If you have a home brain scanning device (just kidding), you could actually see this. You would see that when you think about certain things or feelings, different parts of your brain are activated.

For example, thoughts about a pleasurable experience would release endorphins that activate the opiate receptors in your brain, giving you feelings of happiness or peace. Feelings of anger would release molecules called catecholamines, giving you a burst of energy and causing your circulation to increase or your face to flush. Read the rest of this entry »

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