Laughter is the new meditation

I just read an article by Amanda Chan in The Huffington Post where she writes that a recent research study found that “Joyful laughter and meditation look similar in the brain…: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/28/laughter-meditation-brain_n_5201339.html

 

Chan reports that “A small study from Loma Linda University researchers shows that when people engage in humor-associated mirthful laughter, their brain wave frequencies are similar to that which are seen when a person engages in meditation.”

More specifically, the researchers noted that "Humor Associated with Mirthful Laughter sustains high-amplitude gamma-band oscillations. Gamma is the only frequency found in every part of the brain," study researcher Lee Berk, DrPH, MPH, of Loma Linda University, said in a statement. "What this means is that humor actually engages the entire brain -- it is a whole brain experience with the gamma wave band frequency and humor, similar to meditation, holds it there; we call this being, 'in the zone.’

In case you’re wondering, being “in the zone” is a good thing, because, as the researchers stated, "We suggest HAML [humor associated mirthful laughter] may be another non-pharmacological lifestyle intervention to provide health, wellness [and] adjunctive therapeutic benefits.”

I’ve blogged on the brain benefits of meditation a number of times. Here’s a link to my most recent meditation blog post: http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/2014/05/12-ways-yoga-meditation-helps-nourish.html

Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_daynamore'>daynamore / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Brains, Berries & Radiation

Generally speaking, berries are good for your brain and radiation is bad for your brain. If you've had radiation treatments, berries are even better for your brain.

That’s what I learned from a couple of articles about brains, berries and radiation.

The Huffington Post reports that “Berries could play an important role in clearing the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, according to a new study in mice.

The research, presented at the Experimental Biology 2013 meeting, showed that the brains of rats that consumed berries for two months were better protected against radiation, which is meant to induce accelerated aging in the mice.”

HuffPost's Catherine Pearson reported also said that “Even though the findings have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal -- and thus should be considered preliminary -- a past study from Harvard researchers showed that eating berries regularly could help slow cognitive decline in older people.”

Since my cognitive acumen is perking along at something lower and slower than I’d like to begin with, the idea of keeping me from tumbling into an even the lower strata of cognitive ability is appealing.

Here’s the “HuffPost’s” link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/berries-brain-toxic-proteins-accumulation_n_3133953.html

Here’s a link to the press release from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-04/foas-meb041813.php

And Here’s some berry recipes from FOOD52.COM to help you get started: http://food52.com/blog/7707-boosting-brain-health-one-berry-at-a-time

Personally, I’m working my way through a box of yummy Michigan blueberries right now.