A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that we have much more control over our minds, personalities and personal illnesses than was ever believed to exist before, and it is all occurring at the same time that a flood of other research is exposing the benefits of humor on brain functioning. The ability to change the structure and functioning of the brain through experiences and the conscious use of directed thoughts is referred to as neuroplasticity.
The latest research indicates that the adult brain not only has the ability to repair damaged regions, but to grow new neurons; that willful activity has the power to shape the brain in new directions far into adulthood.
We hear a lot about the effects of illness and old age on the mind, but in the not-too-distant future, we will begin hearing more about the effects of the mind on the mind, and the power of the mind to direct and master its own fate.
The latest discoveries into how the brain responds to positive stimuli such as humor could open doors to new therapies for depression, anxiety and other common mental illnesses. Perhaps by somehow stimulating and enhancing the humor processing regions in the brains of the depressed or anxious we can reverse the chemistry of their conditions. Why not use the positive powers of the brain to counter its negative powers?
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Hello Nichole – I am a comedy mentor with LaughterforaChange.org in LA looking to connect with more scholars utilizing improvisation as a form of therapy. I’d love to stay updated about the publishing of your book and perhaps pick your brain about the research and practical exercises you’ve been doing. Please get in touch if you’re interested! Thank you for the great article
J your Blog Manager here…is this sort of what the documentary “What The Bleep Do We Know?” was talking about?
I’m a W.C. Fields-type — a perennial pessimist who makes *other* people laugh, though the humor seldom reaches my own mood to lighten things up for me. Cutting-edge research on neuroplasticity, not just in the realm of humor but in many other areas too, offers hope to many people, including depressed curmudgeons who thought they’d never change. Thanks for running this article.
I have only just begun reading in/about this field, and find so much of it difficult going technically. You are great at explaining so that the average person can understand & make it even more fascinating than I had realized.I would like to read more.And will be looking for the book.
Good news then; Lenny Bruce didn’t die in vain?
Bam
This is wonderful. I always felt that laughter and happiness would eventually help to rebuild a persons outlook/character. Kudos! Please publish more when more information is found!
Nicole,
Thanks for sharing such pertinent information about the effects our emotions have on us. Staying on the positive side is definitely easier as time goes on.
Val
I’ve been laughing at myself for years and find other people laugh with me. I’ve had lots of problems and faced many a crises laughter always got me through. So was not a bit surprised that at long last a serious study on humour is now launched. Very interested in your findings. Keep smiling!
Interesting post, but can you please cite at least one specific referenceable source that backs up the following claim? “…researchers have demonstrated repeatedly that negative information has a greater impact on the brain than positive information.” Thank you.
Winning a $500 gift certificate to your favorite store and losing $500 are not weighted equivalent opposites.
“high on neuroticism”? I would think Tal Yarkoni could have found a less offensive way to phrase that remark.