Response to Positives

Researchers used a fMRI scanner to measure responses to various types of sounds in the brains of study participants. They played positive sounds such as laughter or triumphant shouting; they played negative sounds like screaming or throwing up or groaning. All the sounds triggered a response in the premotor cortical region of the brain. This part of the brain prepares facial muscles to respond to sounds. The response to positive sounds, especially laughter, was greater than the response to negative sounds, suggesting that the positive sounds were more contagious than negative ones. This may be one reason humans tend to respond to laughter or cheering or even smiles with an involuntary smile. It also may be the science behind using “laugh tracks” with sitcoms or other programs.

Smiles vs Frowns

Studie

have shown that it requires 15 different facial muscles contracting in a specific pattern to laugh. However, it takes 26 muscles to arrange the face in a frown—nearly twice as many muscles. Muscles use energy to do what they do. It’s difficult for me to understand the reason someone would choose to go to the extra work of frowning, when the energy could be used for something more beneficial. Dr. Norman Cousins in his book Anatomy of an Illness pointed out that laugher can promote  more comfortable sleep. In his case, ten minutes of belly laughter gave him two hours of pain-free sleep, something that even morphine had failed to do.

Laughter Contagion

Laughter does seem to be contagious. There may be several contributors. Research from Finland's Aalto University and Turku PET Centre research published in the Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences found that strong emotions synchronize the brain activity of different individuals. Mirthful laughter, part of the emotion of joy, can be very strong. Seeing smiles and laughter in someone else often triggers a corresponding emotional response in the watcher. Studies have identified mirror neurons behind the forehead that fire or activate when they see behaviors in others and respond as if you were doing the same thing. The ancient proverb appears to be cored: Laugh and the world laughs with you. More tomorrow.

Brain and Laughter

I do not understand why people say laughter is contagious. I rarely laugh; there’s nothing to laugh about. What other people think is funny I think is just silly. So? So, what? You have not honed your sense of humor and chosen to laugh? Other people are just silly? You rarely laugh? There is a burgeoning body of research on the myriad benefits of laughter. People who are judged to be very happy and who tend to be long-lived laugh a lot—from 100-400 times a day. There does seem to be a correlation between health, longevity, and laughter. You do have company, however. Studies have shown that adults need a minimum of 30 laughs per day. Unfortunately, adults in the US average only 15-20. Pitiful. Is laughter contagious? More tomorrow.

Brain & Probiotics vs Prebiotics, 2

Probiotics are helpful and very essential live bacteria found in foods such as yogurt, miso, jicama, kombucha, leeks, sauerkraut, dandelion greens, and so on, that help keep the gut bacterial population at an appropriate level. They are believed to be sensitive to both heat and stomach acid. There are probiotic supplements available. However, choosing one can be a challenge as there are concerns about the types of strains of bacteria available and their viability in a bottle of capsules that may sit on a shelf for a long time. Like most everything else, probiotics need appropriate food. Bottom line, probiotics eat prebiotics. More tomorrow.

Microorganisms to Cells

Emerging evidence is linking brain health to the virome and microbiome, especially those located in the GI tract or gut. The numbers if microorganisms in the human body are, of course, uncountable. It used to be estimated that there were ten microorganisms in the average human body to every one cell. However, that number may well fall into the category of an urban legend. Research reported in the National Geographic Magazine (Weizmann Institute of Science) indicated the average human male is composed of about 30 trillion cells. His body also contains about 40 trillion bacteria, most of which reside in his digestive tract. “Regardless of the exact numbers, the microbiome remains a vital, underrated contributor to human health … It’s really easy to forget that we live in a microbial world. They’re emperors of our planet.”

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/01/160111-microbiome-estimate-count-ratio-human-health-science/#close

Virome

Virome:  The human virome  (also referred to as the viral metagenome) is the total collection of all type of viruses in and on the human body. Studies have shown a distinct viral profile in each person in the research. Viruses can attack human cells. They may also infect other organisms in the human body including bacteria. Some viruses are capable of causing diseases, while others help in a variety of body processes and are very. Viral infections of humans include chronic infections that may be asymptomatic or that may be associated with serious, even fatal diseases such as AIDS. Many disease, the causes of which have not be definitely identified, may be of viral origin. Greater than 8% of the human genome are believed to be endogenous retroviruses. There is some evidence of their association with diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Whether or not they are definitely causal, however, or just linked with them, is still uncertain.