The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that's laughter. The moment it arises, all our harnesses yield, all our irritations slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place. Mark Twain

In the relatively new medical field of psychoneuroimmunology, exceptional reseach is shedding light on humor's potential role in maintaining and re-establishing health. Psychoneuroimmunology explores the links among emotions and the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Humor has been referred to as a miracle drug. According to William F. Fry, M.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Stanford University, laughing 100-200 times per day is the cardiovascular equivalent of rowing for 10 minutes.

Physical effects of laughter, frequency of stressful life changes, severity of depression and coping styles have all been shown to affect the immune system. Laughter, however, has been known to reverse the immunosuppressive effects of anger, fear or loneliness which often accompany hospitalization and recovery from an illness. In an article for Lite Medicine, author and neurologist Barry Bittman, M.D., describes the results of experiments on volunteers watching comical videos conducted by Drs. Lee Berk and Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

Through analysis of blood samples, they have found that individuals experiencing mirthful laughter demonstrate the following statistically significant findings:

• Cortisol levels diminished and remained at low levels well into the recovery phase.
• Immunoglobins, IgG, IgA and IgM increased during the comedy and remained elevated during the recovery phase.
• Natural Kill Cell (NK) activity in experimental subjects increased significantly and remained elevated into the recovery phase.
• Plasma Cytokine Gamma Interferon levels increased in subjects viewing the laughter video and remained elevated into the recovery phase.

How can humor improve communication between patient and caregiver?
Humor and laughter have only recently been taken seriously as possible healing agents. The emotional effects of humor can help patients as well as caregivers. Using humor to communicate can capture the attention of patients and help them retain information. Laughter can be powerful therapy for both patients and their care givers. Healthcare professionals working in a stress-filled environment are at risk for burnout and stress-related illnesses. Using humor on a daily basis can be an effective way for caregivers to take care of their own bodies, minds and spirits.