Knock, Knock

Did you know research has found that smiling and laughing increases endorphins and can keep you living longer? You probably did, because it makes sense. BUT, did you know you can fake it and it can still have the same effect!? Strack, Martin, & Stepper (1988) found that when participants in their study held a pencil lengthwise between their teeth, the same facial muscles when smiling are engaged. Thus, a message is sent to the brain saying..."I'mmmmmm HAPPY!! Send me happy wonderful chemicals NOW!" The participants' mood actually changed and they were in a better mood per self-report.

What exactly are endorphins? The word endorphins means "endogenous morphine". Endogenous means growing from within. This means we actually have the ability to create our own pain relievers....as in morphine(?!?!)...just by smiling and laughing!? Woah, ok. Ok. The next time you stub your toe on the side on the coffee table, remember to laugh as hard as humanly possible. Or when anything hurts. See if it works!

Better yet, why don't you just try smiling right now. ESPECIALLY if you are having a bad day and you are giving the "kiss of death" eye roll while you are reading this. Come on....crack a little one just for 5 seconds. How does that feel? Are you more relaxed, less stressed, or in a slightly better mood? Smiling and laughing also decrease stress levels. Actually, smiling and laughing have a lot of other effects on the body that some of you may be surprised by:

• An increase in the number and activity level of natural killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and tumor cells.


• An increase in activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are many T cells that await activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune system to "turn it up a notch."


• An increase in the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and infections.


• An increase in gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to "turn on."


• An increase in IgB, the immunoglobulin produced in the greatest quantity in body, as well as an increase in Complement 3, which helps antibodies to pierce dysfunctional or infected cells.

*list found here.

As you can see from the above list, laughter and humor can be incredibly beneficial for someone fighting any sort of disease or illness. More importantly, we may be even able to prevent illness by laughter and humor! Cancer Treatment Centers of America has written an informative and helpful article on Laughter Therapy and Cancer that you can find here.

Still haven't made yourself smile yet? Just TRY it. Or use that pencil trick. Don't be the kitty on the left, just do it.

Ok, so how do you feel?