The Natural Connection

Laughter is a glue that binds people together in times of trouble and fear. Over the past few weeks, I sense that as a nation we have become unglued. For a while, it seemed almost unpatriotic to even smile in the midst of so much suffering.

Public opinion polls show that our country is still in shock, grieving and in pain. More than fifty percent of the population still admits to depression one month after the attacks on our citizens. My patients are still sitting on their couches, chain-snacking chips and watching CNN as their weights and blood pressures rise from inactivity and stress. 

President Bush has encouraged Americans to get out, spend money, and live their normal lives. I wish that he had also reminded us to laugh. 

We know from research in medical students (the ultimate research subjects), that laughter has an important role in reducing the amounts of stress hormones produced in the body. Laughter is also known to reduce pain perception in cancer patients, and to increase our immunity to infection.

Exposure to humorous situations, such as comedy videos, improves mood, enhances creativity, and reduces blood pressure. The positive effects of laughter can last up to twelve hours—much longer than some medications will. 

Apparently, the old proverb “Laughter is the best medicine” is more truth than fable. A good belly-laugh is good for body, mind, and spirit. There is even evidence that laughter can help prevent heart disease. 

A study published in the August 2001 issue of the International Journal of Cardiology revealed that patients prone to coronary artery disease were less likely than controls to laugh in normal everyday activities, surprise situations, or in social situations. Being an “ole sourpuss” proved to be just as much of a risk factor for heart disease as having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or even diabetes. 

However, “Laugh and the world laughs with you” may not always be true. The Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University found that people universally respond favorably to “vocal songlike” laughter, but detested laughter that was “snorting, panting, or grunting” in character “especially when produced by females”. 

I find that just reading reports of ridiculous things like that is good for my blood pressure. I just try not to snort too loudly when I read them, lest I offend anyone. 

Regaining our collective sense of humor could prove to be a difficult task. The joke books will need to be rewritten. Late-night comics will need new scripts. 

“It doesn’t seem OK to laugh at Yankees or politicians anymore”, one man told me recently during an office visit. “What are we going to laugh about?”

I thought about that for a moment, and then asked him to come back in a few days and tell me a Doctor Joke. For now, doctors are still fair game for late night talk show hosts and patients as well. 

And so he did. 

A fellow walked into a doctor’s office, and the receptionist asked him what he had.

He said, “Shingles”.

So she took down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat. 

A few minutes later, a medical assistant came out and asked him what he had.

He said, “Shingles”.

So she recorded his height, weight, a complete medical history, and told him to wait in the examination room. 

Ten minutes later, a nurse came in and asked him what he had.

He said, “Shingles”.

So she did a blood test, an electrocardiogram, checked his blood pressure, and told him to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor. 

Fifteen minutes later, the doctor came in. “What do you have?” the doctor asked.

He said, “Shingles”.

The doctor said, “Where?”

“Outside in my pickup” the man said. “Where do you want them?” 

For more information on the healing effects of humor, or to share a favorite doctor joke, write to The Natural Connection, c/o Pauline Bellecci MD, PO Box 777, Waycross, GA 31501 or visit our web site www.swampdocs.com

©2000-2003 Pauline M. Bellecci, MD