Laughter the best medicine?

The old wives tale that "laughter is the best medicine" may have some truth to it, according to several students and doctors.

"Laughter can make even the worst moment seem bearable," freshman Jarrod Basham said.

While laughing has emotional benefits, it also has many physical benefits.

Laughter helps boost the immune system to help protect against the common cold and runny nose, according to a humor therapy Web site, www.holistic-online.com.

"Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion and boost immune function," according to the Web site.

It clinically has been proven that laughing activates many helpful cells and antibodies that fight viruses, according to the Web site. NK cells, more easily defined as killer white cells, and immunoglobulin A antibodies multiply faster and in greater numbers with every chuckle.

"Laughter brings a balance to all components of the immune system," Dr. Stanley Tan said on www.helpguide.org.

While college students may deal with a lot of stress, www.humor.ch/kataria stated laughing is the anti-stress.

The body movements that laughter creates expand blood vessels that get the blood moving and act as a muscle relaxant, according to the Web site.

"After a good laugh, you just feel better about everything," sophomore Cat Babbie said.

Laughing also can provide a good workout, according to many doctors.

"One minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine," Dr. William Fry told www.humor.ch/katarina. "It is a great workout for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles," he said.