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Laughter Is the Best Medicine

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Laughter Is the Best Medicine
Cyrelle Donaire
FUND of Speech I. Introduction A. Humour has good healing power and it is good for you. B. Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. C. To date their published studies have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. D. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being. E. Laughter is the best medicine. II. Body A. Laughter activates the Immune System. 1. First sub point a. In their study, the physiological response produced by belly laughter was opposite of what is seen in classical stress, supporting the conclusion that mirthful laughter is a eustress state -- a state that produces healthy or positive emotions. Research results indicate that, after exposure to humor, there is a general increase in activity within the immune system. b. An increase in gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to "turn on.” c. 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. d. 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.” e. An increase in the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and infections. f. 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. The increase in both substances

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