Laughing

by Nancy Sherer

The argument over Nature vs Nurture has been resolved with a resounding ‘maybe.' Scientific studies and tests have shown some very interesting results. In terms of aggression, science supports the theory that while aggressive tendencies are inherited, the life experiences of an individual play a strong role in how the genes are expressed.

Experiments show that the brain changes in response to repeated threat by becoming more easily threatened. With the exception of damaged brains, damaged either by environment or inherited genes, the brain changes and adapts throughout its lifetime. These are structural brain changes, not merely ethereal wisps without form or substance.

So... what if we can change our own brain structure in other ways? I recently saw an article about laughing exercises. If brain structures can change in a negative way, making one more fearful or less empathic, could it change to be more responsive to joy by stimulating it with laughter?

There's nothing to lose by trying.

For further reading- "The Biology of Violence" by Debra Niehof PhD. 1999.
"Without Conscience" by Dr. Robert Hare 1993.