Research: TODA and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 157

Abstract

TODA and COLLEAGUES, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan studied the effects of laughter upon stress.

Background

The authors investigated the effect of laughter on salivary endocrinological stress marker chromogranin A (CgA).

Methodology

In saliva samples collected from 11 healthy males before and after watching a comic film or a non-humorous control film, salivary CgA levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Samples taken after watching the comic film showed increased levels of CgA. This tendency was more pronounced in individuals with lower initial levels of stress. The control samples showed no significant change in CgA levels. Stress score, subjectively evaluated using a visual analog scale, decreased significantly after watching the comic film.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that, in addition to a stress relief effect, laughter can bring about feeling uplifted or fulfilled.

References

Toda M,  Kusakabe S,  Nagasawa S,  Kitamura K and  Morimoto K. Effect of laughter on salivary endocrinological stress marker chromogranin A. Biomedical Research. 28(2): 115-8. Apr 2007.

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