Does Comedy Heal

Do Patch Adams, M.D.'s humorous healing techniques really work? The cable network Comedy Central and scientists at the University of California-Los Angeles hope to find out.

In February, Comedy Central donated a $75,000 research grant to UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center to explore the use of humor in reducing pain and preventing and treating diseases--such as cancer, HIV and others that weaken the immune system--in children and adolescents. The project is being spearheaded by Sherry Dunay Hilber, an entertainment industry executive; Lonnie Zeltzer, M.D., director of the Pediatric Pain Program at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital; and Margaret Stuber, M.D., a psychiatry professor at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute.

The program, dubbed "Rx Laughter," has three parts. First, the researchers plan to determine what healthy children find funny by showing them classic cartoons, comedic TV shows and films. Next, they will measure the kids' heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormone levels and other biological markers as they watch funny clips to see whether laughter has a notable effect on the body. Finally, the scientists will monitor the same responses in ill children to see whether humor affects their immune function. If laughter does provoke a positive response, the researchers hope to use the comedic clips from the study in treatment, especially during painful procedures like blood draws or chemotherapy, to alleviate kids' stress and fear--thus promoting faster healing.

"Rx Laughter" is the latest project to come from "Comedy Rx," the program Comedy central created in 1998 to generate awareness of the healing effects of humor. Says Comedy Central CEO Larry Divney: "We know our programming is entertaining, but to think that comedy is literally good for you is exciting."

--Camille Chatterjee

BODY LANGUAGE
The Nose Knows
Pinocchio's not the only one whose nose grows when telling a falsehood.

The fictional puppet's malady is a bona fide biological response to lying, says Alan Hirsch, M.D., a researcher at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. When people fib, says Hirsch, they often feel guilty about it. This results in a small increase in blood pressure, which boosts blood flow to the erectile tissues in the nose, causing them to stretch and release histamines. This ultimately leads to a slight nasal swelling--and the same nasal itch--that people experience when they have allergies.

So be wary of people's body language during conversation: Unless it's hay fever season, someone scratching their nose may just be pulling your leg.
--Linda Formichelli

Psychology Today, May/Jun 2000Article ID: 238

How To Deal With Stress

The next time you get stressed out over something, stop and ask yourself, "What am I gaining from being stressed out over this?" Train yourself to do this and every time you're stressed out, whether it's traffic, the boss, the kids, whatever, ask yourself this and then change the way you're looking at the problem.

Remember, stress will only make the problem worse, not better. And it will take years off your life. You don't want that do you?

Remember, too, that stress is the number one cause of death in America today. You don't have to be one of them. Don't become a stastic. Laugh and live longer.

Have a good life.

To book a stress seminar or humor therapy with B.c. go to http://www.worldwidebc.com/

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Patients, doctors and health-care professionals are all finding that laughter may indeed be the best medicine.

Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.

Laughter is infectious. Hospitals around the country are incorporating formal and informal laughter therapy programs into their therapeutic regimens. In countries such as India, laughing clubs -- in which participants gather in the early morning for the sole purpose of laughing -- are becoming as popular as Rotary Clubs in the United States.

Humor is a universal language. It's a contagious emotion and a natural diversion. It brings other people in and breaks down barriers. Best of all it is free and has no known side reactions.

B.C. is a Humorologist who teaches Humor Therapy. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

The History Of Humor Therapy

Humor has been used in medicine throughout recorded history. One of the earliest mentions of the health benefits of humor is in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. As early as the 13th century, some surgeons used humor to distract patients from the pain of surgery. Humor was also widely used and studied by the medical community in the early 20th century. In more modern times, the most famous story of humor therapy involved Norman Cousins, then editor of the Saturday Review. According to the story, Mr. Cousins cured himself of an unknown illness with a self-invented regimen of laughter and vitamins.

B.C. is a speaker/author/musician/magician/storyteller who speaks on Humor Therapy worldwide. His website is www.worldwidebc.com