Laughter: Meditation For The Brain
We have often talked about the benefits of meditation, as well as the benefits of laughter. Well, a recent study has linked laughter and meditation, with very promising results. Laughter activates brain waves similar to those associated with meditation, according to researchers from the University of Loma Linda (California), who worked under the direction of Dr. Gurinder Singh . The study also found that the actual state of meditation can improve memory and reduce the effects of stress.
The study monitored the brain waves of 31 people as they watched spiritual television broadcasts, entertaining programs, and distressing videos. The researchers found that, during the humorous videos, the volunteers’ brains produced high levels of gamma waves, the same ones produced during meditation.
During the spiritual programs, participants’ brains showed higher levels of alpha waves, similar to those produced when a person is at rest. The distressing videos, on the other hand, caused flat brain frequencies, similar to those of a person feeling isolated, unresponsive to stimuli, or unwilling to be in a certain situation.
Dr. Lee Berk of the University of Loma Linda also participated in the study, who said: “What we found with our study is that the mood associated with cheerful laughter produces very large oscillations of gamma waves. The gamma frequency is the only one found in all areas of the brain ”.
And he added: “This means that the mood actually involves the whole brain, it is a total experience thanks to the production of gamma waves. The mood, therefore, like meditation, keeps these frequencies active ”.
A workout for the brain
Professor Berk also said that it is as if laughter “allows the brain to stay in shape”. This effect is important, because “when we are affected by subjective feelings, it allows us to have the ability to think more clearly and to have more conciliatory ideas”. He also added that this discovery “has great value for people who need or want to review, reorganize or change different aspects of their life or different experiences, to feel more whole or more focused.”
As we mentioned, this study also reveals that the state of meditation can improve memory and reduce the effects of stress.
“It’s simple: the less stress, the greater the memory,” explained Dr. Berk. Mood reduces stress hormones, such as cortisol, which are harmful to memory because they decrease neurons in the hippocampus. Laughter also lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow, as well as improving mood.
“The act of laughter, or just enjoying something fun, increases the levels of endorphins and dopamine in the brain, which produces a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction,” said Berk. “ These neurochemical changes are positive and beneficial, and in turn help the immune system function better. There are even changes in the activity of brain waves towards the frequency of the gamma waves, which amplify memory and recollection ”.
Among the different conclusions that the researchers drew from this study, it is worth highlighting its relevance for older people. The cognitive components (learning ability and deferred memory) are affected by advancing age and are essential to improve the quality of life of an older person, both in terms of their mind, body and spirit.
While there is no cure for age-related memory loss, mood therapies appear to be very beneficial and researchers recommend them to our loved ones.
