Positive Thoughts Lead To Positive Changes In The Brain And Body

Is it possible for you to improve your health just by thinking the right way? Well, that might just be possible. For the last three decades or so the field of psychoneuroimmunology has revealed some fascinating research.

Scientist such as, Dr. David McClelland, found that students who watched a 50-minute film designed to induce positive emotions resulted in a rise in the sigA (Salivary Immunoglobulin A) just through feeling good. Another researcher, Dr. Kathleen Dillon, who conducted research at the Western New England College of Medicine found that when you experience humor, for example by watching 30 minutes of humorous recordings, you can actually experience a rise in the sigA. This means that your immune system actually produces a higher number of disease-fighting cells just from laughter.

Laughter has also been found to reduce heart disease and can destress your brain. One hospital conducted research on pain medication and its patients. Patients who had gone through painful knee surgeries were split into two groups. One group was only allowed to view laughter inducing television while the other group was not allowed to view any funny shows. Over a period of 24 hours, the “funny television show” group experienced less pain and pushed the painkiller button less than the “non-funny television” group.

The studies go on and on. Too many to list here. Do a little research. Look up studies in the field of psychoneuroimmunology and read some of the results for yourself. I am sure that you will find it quite interesting. In the end, whether you believe it or not, really, what can it hurt? At the very least, your life will be a lot more fun if you laugh more.

In closing, I quote the words of the very intelligent Elle Woods, the main character in the film Legally Blonde. While defending her client by stating that exercise creates endorphins; laughter, by the way, does the same thing, and “endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands-they just don’t!”

*Laugh, Laugh, Laugh*

Julie “Brain Lady” Anderson