Memory loss and aging have always seemed to be connected.
New research has shown that laughter may truly be the new medicine for those who are aging and suffering from memory loss.
Medical News Today has reported that laughter can prevent age-related memory loss because it can lessen the damage that is caused by stress.
The University Herald has reported that too much stress can contribute to a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Research has reportedly shown that the stress hormone, cortisol, damages certain neurons in the brain and can negatively affect memory and learning ability in the elderly.
Researchers from Loma Linda University in Southern California have discovered that humor and laughter helps relieve the damage that cortisol can cause.
Researcher Gurinder Singh Bains stated, "Our research findings offer potential clinical rehabilitative benefits that can be applied to wellness programs for the elderly."
Researchers analyzed one group of elderly individuals who had diabetes and another group of elderly people who were healthy.
Both groups were required to view a funny 20-minute video before completing a memory test that measured their visual recognition, learning ability and memory recall.
A third group of elderly participants were reportedly asked to complete the memory test without watching the funny video.
Cortisol levels for all of the participants were recorded before and after the experiments and were compared between all three groups.
The two groups that watched the humorous video showed a "significant reduction" in cortisol levels, compared to the group that didn't view the video at all.
The benefits of laughing should be acknowledged and practiced.
Study co-author Dr. Lee Burk stated, "The act of laughter - or simply enjoying some humor - increases the release of endorphins and dopamine in the brain, which provides a sense of pleasure and reward."
Although memory loss and aging do have an undeniable connection, there are ways to prevent it even before it begins to happen with the magic of laughter.
