Originally published August 20 2005
Laughter activates neural networks, research finds
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dr. Allan L. Reiss of Stanford University in California claims that laughter activates the same area of the brain that is affected by amphetamines and cocaine. Experts hope that isolating the effects of laughter on the brain could lead to better treatment of depression.
Researchers report that humor seems to activate brain networks that are involved in rewards.
"Humor has significant ramifications for our psychological and physical health," he told Reuters Health.
Our sense of humor, he said, "often dictates if, how and with whom we establish friendships and even long-lasting romantic relationships."
Humor is also a "universal coping mechanism" for dealing with stress, Reiss added.
Despite the importance of humor, Reiss said that little is known about the brain mechanisms that underlie humor.
Now, Reiss and his colleagues report that they have zeroed in on the brain's reward system for humor.
In the study, volunteers had their brain activity monitored as they read a series of cartoons.
Some of the cartoons were supposed to be funny, but others had the funny cues omitted.
Researchers found that when a cartoon made a person laugh, a brain network that is known to be involved in reward was activated.
In fact, the areas activated by humor have been shown previously to be activated by amphetamines and cocaine, according to a report in the December 4th issue of the journal Neuron.
"I believe that understanding humor is fundamental to understanding many aspects of 'normal' human social behavior," Reiss said.
Learning more about the brain mechanisms that underlie humor may also help scientists who study depression, according to Reiss.
He noted that the loss of the ability to appreciate humor is a common symptom of depression.
"We believe that utilizing studies such as this may be one way to more specifically identify individuals at risk for depressive disorders," Reiss said.
The humor reward system in the brain may come "on line" even before symptoms of depression change, he said.
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