Researchers at the University of Loma Linda in California found that laughter has a strong positive effect on the human brain.. In particular, often laughing people are better protected from negative age-related processes associated with decreased cognitive functions and memory loss, writes Medikforum.

Scientists believe that the deterioration of the brain with age is closely related to the effect of stress on the body. Research has shown that the stress hormone cortisol damages certain neurons in the brain.. As a result, memory deteriorates and learning abilities decrease.. In older people, the “stress effect” is more significant, as with aging, there is an accumulation of all the negative factors that the nervous system is forced to experience.

Researchers invited a group of older people to take part in the experiment..

Some of them watched a 20-minute video that caused laughter, while others didn’t.. Then, all subjects tested the level of cognitive abilities using tests.. Also, all volunteers measured the level of cortisol before and after the experiment..

It turned out that watching a funny video helped to reduce the amount of cortisol in the blood and improve memory and attention. Test results for people who watched a funny video were better than those who didn’t see it..

medicinform. net.