Laughter seems to play such an important role in our life. Does it have a role in medicine?

Question

I was thinking of that film starring Robin Williams as a Doctor (Can't remember the title?)

Random question I know, but it's a subject that fascinates me.

Do we take laughter seriously enough???

Jamin x

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughter#Laughter_and_the_body

Answer 2

There has been research done on this subject. If you are facinated check out Laughter the Best Medicine, in the search bar, you can also type in joke and you will get loads of sites that have just jokes.

It is the best medicine for almost anything except of course if you are recuperating after an operation and still have stitches. Hurts to laugh then. I know I found out the hard way, I had to have a C-section for my 3rd child and once out of hospital my husband and I though a night at the drive-in would be a nice way to relax only we chose two commedies. I literaly laughed till I cried, and I was so sore. I laugh about it now.

Answer 3

People that laugh a lot tend to have a positive view of life. Having a positive personality aids in persons healing ability. There have been studies on cancer patients. The survival rate is much higher if the patient is happy and positive. Hospital have taken notice of this and have tried to make the rooms more calming and comfortable for both the patient and the family. They also have cut down on the long-term stays in hospitals because patients feel more comfortable in their own home, hence, they tend to heal faster. I am writing this on 7/20, 7/13 @ 5:00 pm. I was in the recovery room recovering from back surgery. 9:00 pm. I ask the nurse if I could get up and walk around. She was more than happy to assist me. I was discharged from the hospital the following morning at 8:00 am. Now, I am not say that I have not been on pain killers because I have. However, I can walk fairly good, I am sitting here at the computer desk and don't feel any pain, in-fact, yesterday my wife and I went to the video store. I was real tired when we got home and had to take a nap, however, it was fun to get out for a bit. My wife and family believe I have progressed as far as I have because I am a very positive person. I was starting to get down before the surgery because I had been in a tremendous amount of pain for eight weeks. My wife kept helping me look towards the healing part of my injury, which helped me keep positive.

Answer 4

Yes, I watched Patch adams too (interestingly I laughed more at Mork and Mindy), I also saw a group of people who specialise in Laughing and one method was to heartily laugh as you introduce yourself by handshaking. Both people have to do so and it should be a daily practice. I sat opposite a guy at work who never said anything, one day I explained the principle and he reluctantly participated - but then I did the same the following day and he took the bait. We continued for about two years - now everyone who sees us 'laughshake' thinks that we're a couple of lunatics, but we both get at least five seconds of laughter every time we see each other - It works, and whilst it probably wont cure people(interesting ref in here to white blood cells though), it can be therapeutic.

Answer 5

Yes, laughter is the most important thing in our life that's makes us not only human but conscious in some way.
Laughter is the relief of our soul, and without it, depression and insanity comes along.Of course laughter should be from the heart and not just being nice to someone.

Answer 6

Yes,it does play a major factor.The film was called Patch Adams and it was a true story.We take laughter as something that someone said as 'funny' or amusing.A joke or even a quiptoquips answer after it's figured out.No one tends to think of laughter as a serious subject.There are positive aspects to even smiling.

Answer 7

Well of coarse but the laughter is the result or reaction, the thought that preludes it is what is good for the health, all health conditions are self induced look for a book called The Journey by Brandon Bays

Answer 8

i know the movie, he dresses like a clown and gets in trouble for not being orthodox and even has to go before a board or court or something like that. and at the end of the movie after he gets his diploma they show his backside as he's walking away, smiling from "cheek to cheek"! good movie!!!....when i can't count on someone else to make me smile or laugh, i can always know that i have myself to just crack me up!!! laughter is the best medicine in the world, i laugh as much as i can, even when i bump my head!HA HA HA !!! ( customers at the restaurant call me smiley and they ask for me cause they say they have fun when I'm working! that's what I'm told anyway.)☺by the way laughter is "not" meant to be taken 'seriously'! how could we laugh it it was?☺

Answer 9

I definitely think laughter plays a role in medicine. I think it's very therapeutic and adds to the healing process.

Answer 10

Interesting question because sometimes people forget to laugh when they are too caught up with their worries and forget that laughter is the best medicine for ridding us of stress!! I am a typical example but it's good to read your jokes and Mark's comment because Mark always makes me smile with his joke ad you simply kill me with laughter! I've got a good dose of laughter; only hope that I don't take an overdose soon!! :-) lol!
Thank you for your lovely question! :-)

Answer 11

They say laughter increases your white blood cell count. Which aids the body against sickness.

Increases oxygen intake.

A form of acceptance.

Etc.

Yeah that was a great movie. I forget the title also.
Remeber him dressing as a clown. And the butterfly part.