Laughter, is it truly the best medicine?

Hey there everyone!!
I'm finally gonna be posting up my research essay on laughter....
And I'm having the proud and always jovial Crown Prince of Crime, Joker to bring some guidance along the way as you read my essay!
hehehe....


ABSTRACT

There has been a medicine that humans used over and over and practically throughout their daily lives ever since they learned to communicate.
That medicine is called laughter.
However, unlike the actual medicine that is consumed at particular amounts to reassure its positive effects, laughter can be taken repeatedly without worry, so long as it is honest, true and received gladly by others.
However, there come some sceptics who challenge the thought.
Is laughter truly the best medicine?
This research essay will work to verify how laughter is capable of bringing a more joyful and even healthier life to humans.
The secondary research is done to provide this essay with the needed information from the Internet, newspapers, journals, and even a movie.
Despite a few opinions from the devil’s advocate, I can bravely assure that everyone agrees that laughter is the best medicine as it helps relief tension, increases our body’s health and develops our way of thinking for the better.


INTRODUCTION

Tons of work to do, running short of time, I needed to rush to get them all done quickly. I was definitely not in a cheery mood. Instead, I was feeling so agitated that I could bite a head off. Even my close friends would run from me if they saw me coming their way. Suddenly, a clown appeared beside me. He started playing around, trying to entertain me. I had no time for this! Tried as I might to escape from him, the clown persisted to try and make me laugh. I walked away as fast as I could, the clown following me from behind. I felt so much like screaming at him to stop following me. I turned around ready to do so but instead, I was screaming in laughter when I turned around only to witness the clown accidentally tripping over his abnormally large shoes and falling clumsily flat on his face. Seeing me laughing, the uninjured clown left me. Strangely, after I stopped laughing, I felt very much better. I was not frustrated or irritable anymore. Instead, I felt like I could do anything and all of my current work was nothing to fuss about.

This is no joke.

Laughter does indeed have such effect on a person, no matter how negatively he or she is feeling at the time. However, not many people realise this and go on with their stressful lives, suppressed by depression and distress. They do not realise that with a little laughter in-between, they would be helping themselves a lot.
Laughter, in this case, would be like a medicine that could be taken in any occasion, anytime and anywhere, hence the old saying, ‘laughter is the best medicine’.

But is laughter truly the best?

Some would disagree, claiming that it is not necessarily helpful. They also believe that it can cause harm to us humans instead.
I, on the other hand, strongly believe in the saying.
This essay will explain how laughter is capable of relieving stress, improving one’s physical health and also developing one’s state of mind.


BACKGROUND

Laughter can be believe to been known ever since humans learned to communicate with one another.
Most of the time, laughter comes out of a certain something in us humans, known as humour.
Humour is a kind of special distinct feature that humans have that does not take into account individual differences, such as culture, religion, sex, and race, as stated by LaFollette & Shanks (1993, p. 329).
In his study, “The Biology of Humor”, a professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences from Stanford University, William Fry believed that humour was just something humans picked up after a progression of a lifetime’s worth of learning experiences and that all humans held the potential of developing their sense of humour (Cited in Hatten 2003).
Fry believes, since every one of us has different experiences throughout our lives, our sense of humour is different from one another and unique to each individual. Hence would be a good reason why no two people ever agree on an exact definition of humour, despite everyone knowing what humour is, as claimed by Hughes (2003, p. 308).
However, laughter doesn’t necessary only come from human’s sense of humour, as agreed by LaFollette and Shanks (1993, p. 329). [Joker: Who needs a sense of humour, when you've got me?]
They said that “people may laugh because they are uncomfortable (nervous laughter), they may laugh at someone (derisive laughter), they may laugh because they are insane or mentally imbalanced (hysterical laughter), or they may laugh because they are physiologically induced to do so (as when someone tickles them relentlessly)” (ibid).

For instance, have you ever wondered why villains of many stories are often laughing? [Joker: Like me? I feel honored...... Kidding.]
It is pointed out by theorists, such as Hobbes that laughter, or in this case, the villains’ humour is used to display superiority over others (Cited in LaFollette & Shanks 1993, p. 329).
This goes to show that laughter comes in variable forms.


COUNTER ARGUMENT

Laughter may be well-known to have its positive effects but some people believe it is a two-edged sword, as mentioned by Weinberg (2000).
He mentioned that “the tool of laughter” is capable of bringing along danger and destruction when abused. [Joker: Abuse!? My word! I can't imagine the audacity!]
One particular type of laughter can actually terribly hurt another person he claims; ridicule.
It is only natural that when one feels ridiculed, he or she would be hurt.
In this case, laughter actually does harm instead of bring good to someone.
Since the hurt is more emotional than physical, it is much harder to heal the damage done indeed, as no physical remedy can help heal the ‘wound’.
In addition, Weinberg (2000) says:

Laughing for laughter's sake is just an escape. Jokes alone don't equal happiness, and too much laughter gives an artificial feeling of joy. You can have a great time at a two-hour comedy show -- but experience an empty feeling afterward. That's because you got worked up high, but it wasn't real. And the reality always comes back.
Silliness, too, is often a sign of running from the realities of life. Life is serious business, and frivolity destroys meaning. That's why excessive laughter and misplaced levity can lead to immoral behavior.

Furthermore, laughter is like the opposite of seriousness and hence will work to minus the sense of solemnity, which would explain why some people would think that laughter is not necessarily helpful.
This would be a bad thing when it comes to genuinely serious matters or situations, such as ethnicity, world crisis or stopping war. [Joker: Who cares about crisis?! I want results!*Carries bazooka*]
Weinberg (2000) says that laughter is like a mighty weapon and when something or even someone is laughed at, no matter who or what it is, it is ruined.
Plus, he suggested that it is just rude and discourteous to make fun of such serious subjects.


TRANSITION PARAGRAPH

The negative edge of this sword is undeniable.
Laughter can leave people feeling hurt instead, and may not be appropriate for certain serious matters. As mentioned before, there are various ways of producing laughter, both good and bad.
However, the bad side of laughter often, if not completely occurs when it is misused or abused.
Thus, with the right moral behaviours and proper attitudes, this edge of the sword can be avoided, which is why I continue to support that laughter is indeed the best medicine for it can reduce stress, develop physical health and also improve mentality.


PRO ARGUMENT 1

Laughter is an excellent way of releasing stress and tension that have accumulated inside one’s self from his or her daily life and work.
Stress and tension may form within ourselves from a variety of sources, such as pressure from work, problems within family or circle of friends, financial issues, world issues, and even personal matters.
With so many sources, imagine how much stress is already within you!
Stress can bring bad effects to one physically. Crystal and Flanagan (1995), both doctors, claimed that stress’s ability to subdue our body immune system has been proven by research on it.
Besides that, stress can leave people distressed, irritated, and even depressed, depending on how one reacts to a certain situation.
The author of ‘Pathfinders’, Gail Sheehy believed that the tension of an event can be easily dispersed if taken under a more humorous perspective, since “humor releases mounting tension, popping the cork off fear, hostility, rage and anger” (Cited in Hatten 2003).
Weinberg (2000) also agrees, stating that tension is unconsciously relieved through laughter and that it clears up all forms of tension, like anxiety, despair, and annoyance.
Moreover, he claimed that even faking a laugh can still make you feel relaxed and raise your spirits.

Take this example, have you ever got into an intense argument, or at least, witness one where suddenly the one arguing starts laughing about it? [Joker: Yea! Me!!]
When someone realises something as absurd in an argument that and starts laughing, his or her laughter would “dispel” the heat of the argument as it has taken the pressure off everyone (Weinberg 2000).


PRO ARGUMENT 2

If exercise and workouts help develop our muscles, is there any way to develop the rest of our organs?
One known method is a healthy diet, but there is another method, not well-known, but is practised everywhere by everyone and at anytime.
In an article in The Borneo Post (30 May 2005, p. C6), patients claimed that they are able to laugh longer when their asthma is under control, but if the laughter causes the asthma symptoms, it shows their asthma is not yet under control.
This means laughter is acting as a sign to how controlled a patient’s asthma is.
In the same article, Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU Medical Center at New York, Dr Stuart Garay encourages asthma patients to laugh.
Besides that, laughter has many positive effects to our body’s health.
Sowell (1996) said:

Studies have shown the following physiological effects of laughter in the immune system alone: increase in the number and actually of T cells and natural killer cells, which attack viruses, foreign cells and cancer cells; increase in gamma interferon, a blood chemical that transmit messages in the nervous system and stimulates the immune system: a rise in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights upper respiratory tract infections (stress, particularly depression, has shown to lower Ig A levels); and more immunoglobulin G and M, which help fight other infections.

As proof to how laughter is good to the health, you should look into the life story of Norman Cousins.
A patient with ankylosing spondylitis, an illness believed to be fatal, would be a good example since Cousins was the reason for the scientific study on the medicinal properties of humour when he was able to sleep painlessly for two hours after only ten minutes of laughter (Hughes 2003 and Sowell 1996).
Furthermore, laughter is able to create energy.
An article in The Star Online (8 June 2005) included an explanation by Dr Marciej Buchowski of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee that the basic metabolism rate raises over 20% when laughing, according to an experiment they did.


PRO ARGUMENT 3

Humans have many ways of impacting one another’s life.
It is undeniable. These impacts vary from good to bad.
Laughter would be good, as it helps develop the mentality for the better.
According to an article in The Borneo Post (18 April 2005, p. C5), humour has been proven to raise people’s level of hope.
This would be a useful tool, especially in hospitals, which is why clowns often make visits to the hospitals.
Hughes (2003) claims that the practise of humour during treatment is supported by a number of 98% of behavioural therapists, plus, Hughes also mentioned that laughter can build a strong relationship between patient and professionals, namely doctors, and that such relationships are important.
This is emphasized by Hunter ‘Patch’ Adams (Patch Adams 1997) who said:

A doctor’s mission should be not just to prevent death, but also to improve the quality of life. That’s why, you treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win no matter what the outcome.

Despite laughter and humour diminishing solemnity and hospitals being a place of serious matters, which could involve life and death, it does not mean hospitals should not mix with laughter or humour.

“Life does not cease to be funny when people die anymore that it ceases to be serious when people laugh” said George Bernard Shaw (Cited in Hughes 2003).

Laughter brings optimism into the minds of anyone in any serious situation.
For example, a family of a woman losing the functions of her legs had their hope raised and had better connection with the patient after they practised humour amongst themselves as encouraged by Norman Cousins (Cited in Sowell 1996).


CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

In this essay, I strongly support that laughter is truly the best medicine.
Laughter easily helps us to release all, or at least, most of the stress and tension stored consciously and unconsciously within us.
Laughing develops and improves our physical health even with small doses.
Laughter also brings about a more hopeful atmosphere despite during a solemn situation.
I suggest that all this knowledge be spread to the general population and that laughter should always be encouraged amongst one another, especially the younger generation, while reminding them that laughing does not give them the right to be irresponsible. [Joker: Irresponsible!? *Fake gasp*]
I believe that everyone will benefit from this and can lead a happier, better, and less stressful life.
Just think, even if we were faking a laugh, our bodies still react to the laugh as if it was for real (Crystal & Flanagan 1995)!
So start making it a routine to laugh daily, at least ten minutes worth of laughter.
Besides, you would not just be brightening up your own day, but also everyone else’s.
Many have embraced the power of laughter and led happier lives, so what have you got to lose? [Joker: Like me!!]

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Reference List

Cyrstal, G & Flangan, P 1995, ‘Laughter – Still the Best Medicine’. Retrieved: May 7, 2005 from
http://www.heylady.com/rbc/laughter.htm.
Hatten, DV 2003, ‘Laughter: The Prescription for Life’, Quest, vol. 10, no. 4. Retrieved: May 7, 2005 from
http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q104laughter.cfm.
Hughes, C 2003, ‘Medical humour’, Student BMJ, vol. 11, pp. 308-309.
‘Humour can increase hope, research shows’ 2005, The Borneo Post, 18 April, p. C5.
‘Laugh away your calories’ 2005, The Star Newspaper, 8 June. Retrieved: June 8, 2005 from The Star Online.
‘Laughter-induced asthma is no joke’ 2005, The Borneo Post, 30 May, p. C6.
Patch Adams 1997, film, Universal Pictures, USA.
Sowell, C 1996, ‘IS LAUGHTER THE BEST MEDICINE?’, Quest, vol. 3, no. 4. Retrieved: May 7, 2005 from
http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q34laughter.html.
Weinberg, R 2000, ‘Laughter is Serious Business’, aish.com. Retrieved: June 8, 2005 from http://www.aish.com/spirituality/48ways/
Way_21_Laughter_Is_Serious_Business.asp.
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There you go....
my Research essay regarding laughter and its ever wonderous powers..
do keep laughing always, share the joy, and spread the smile!!