Medical

Laughter

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The activity of laughing; the manifestation of mirth or joy, or, less commonly, sarcasm or scorn
Alternative medicine See Laughter club, Laughter therapy, Laughter yoga
Neurology Spasmodic and largely involuntary expirations often accompanied by inarticulate vocalisations, generally evoked by mirth
Physiology Laughter increases blood flow to the brain and activates neural networks—e.g., nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and amygdala. Functional MRI data suggests that the increase in blood flow to NAcc evoked by extreme humour is similar to that triggered by monetary gain or use of some addictive drugs; a key symptom of depression is the lack of a sense of reward from previously rewarding activities—e.g., humour
Psychiatry Laughter is regarded as the most effective coping skill for anxiety-panic disorders and may temporarily alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression
Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
"Laughter is the universal language that connects and unites humanity," said Mr Thomas, 57, a personnel officer at St Christopher's School, who has also travelled to Russia, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, Germany and France in a bid to bring 'world peace through laughter'.
My recent research with the Batek A-suggests that examining A-contagious, uncontrollable laughter can help explain why we do things we say we shouldn't.
In a previous interview, Trinidad said that PLY promoted 'diaphragmatic' laughter as a way to relax, improve one's mood and boost the immune system.
It will be run by fitness instructor Maggie Thompson and will include an assortment of laughter and deep-breathing exercises.
Professor Sophie Scott said: "The study shows that adding laughter to a joke increases the humour value, no matter how funny it is.
The research indicates a laugh track makes people rate dad jokes as being funnier, but spontaneous laughter is more effective than posed laughter.
Just like all exercise, laughter yoga can help to reduce stress because it boosts endorphins and gets your heart rate up, and is also mixed with some meditation to really help you hit "pause", check in with yourself, your body and let go.
Laughter yoga is an easy way to healthy life, Emirati doctor Nasir Al Riyami said.
The Bahrain-based 'laughter ambassador' and certified laughter yoga practitioner recently attended the First Russian Laughter Yoga Conference held in Moscow.
Every household in America knew this story, and so the idea of using laughter as medicine is forever connected with Norman Cousins.
Wishing her fans on the occasion was Preity Zinta who posted a GIF on her Twitter handle and wrote, "jiiyo, hNso, muskuraao kyoNki aaj hai World Laughter Day.
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