I wanted to follow up a previous article of mine on how stress can impair the immune system (“Chill or be Chilled”, on this web site) with at least one method for reducing stress, namely humor. I apologize for the fact that I’m going to interrupt this article occasionally with some answers to past reader’s immunological questions. Here is the first one of these questions, with its accompanying answer:

Reader Billy. ______ of Kickkabrick, NJ asks: “Why did the spleen cross the road?” Well Billy, after much study and research I have come to the conclusion that the spleen crossed the road because it was in the chicken.

Now getting back to the topic at hand. Let’s try to define humor. My favorite definition is that humor is transient pain. I like this definition because immediately before the laughter, there is almost always a moment when we are taken aback or briefly confused. This pain is mild and not physical. But it is pain nonetheless. I believe the body is self-medicating when we laugh.

So what does humor do for the immune system? In my article, “Chill or be Chilled” (Caring for the Immune System category). I mentioned that stress results in the release of corticosteroids that are part of the flight or fight response (good). These corticosteroids temporarily suppress the immune system. If we are chronically stressed, however,, these corticosteroids can result in long term suppression of our immune system (not good). One of the ways in which humor seems to boost the immune system is to reduce the production of corticosteroids. The only down side of this I can foresee is that it might not be good to laugh while running from a hungry lion. Sorry but I feel it is necessary to interrupt this article again with another reader question and its accompanying answer:

Reader Sally. ______ of Whirlygig, Wisconsin says: “I am an avid zoo-goer and I have yet to see an anteater with a cold or the flu. Could you tell me why they are so healthy?” Dear Sally, I am now prepared to conclude that anteaters are so healthy because they are full of “anty” bodies.

There are other ways that humor appears to boost the immune system besides reducing corticosteroid production. It also increases the release of endorphins from the brain, many of which, affect leukocytes in a positive manner. Studies have shown that humor, such as watching a knee-slapping video, increases antibody production and leads to increased numbers of certain types of leukocytes in the blood. However, how long this increase persists, is not well known. One study showed increased antibody levels were observed 30 minutes after a humorous video while another showed increased immunity as much as 12 hours later. The duration is an important issue because a transient immunity boost may do little good if it does not happen to occur just when you are exposed to particular virus or other disease-causing microorganism. However, a sustained increase may be very beneficial. Now, another important break for an answer to a highly technical reader question:

Johnny ____ from Grannysbranch, TX asks: “Why do allergies make you sneeze? Well Johny, from years of study, and extensive experience, I am of the opinion that allergies make us sneeze because making us fart would be just plain rude.

In conclusion, I take some of this stuff about the enhancement of antibodies and leukocytes by humor with a grain of salt (and a banana peal or two). But I do believe that humor plays a very important role in benefiting immunity by reducing stress. In addition, to the above studies, others have shown that those who have a good sense of humor are sick less often than those who don’t. This might be due to the fact that healthy people find it easier to have a sense of humor than sick people (har, har). However, I also believe that a sense of humor is a very effective stress reducer and hence is likely to be very beneficial to our immune systems. If your immune system needs a dose of humor, try my article on hillbilly professors on this web site. Pardon me but there is one last reader’s question that I would like to share before I go:

Reader Ebeneezer _____ of Studmergen, VA asks: “How many white blood cells does it take to change a light bulb?” I’m sorry Ebeneezer, I’m still working on this one. If anyone knows, please enlighten us.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005 at 4:57 pm and is filed under Caring for the Immune System. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.