Hormones
Can laughing actually improve your health?
Emma Guidi
Did you feel nervous?
 You’re not alone. About 86% of survey
takers reported feeling anxious, nervous, or
jittery before a performance in front of a
large audience.
 When somebody is faced with a large
crowd, or potentially dangerous situation, a
reaction called the “fight or flight” response
sets in. This causes the hormone, adrenaline
to be released, which causes your heart rate
and level of anxiety to rise.
 When adrenaline is released, the person can
also feel angry or be easily agitated.
What are Hormones?
 Hormones are vital to your health. Hormones
are a catalyst, causing reactions to happen
in the body. They regulate a number of
actions in your body.
 The pituitary gland sends messages
(hormones) to your thyroid, pancreas, liver,
breast, ovaries, etc. All these glands need
hormones to call them into action.
 Hormones are a part of the endocrine
system.
What are endorphins?
 Endorphins are the “happy hormones”
 Hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and
estrogen are all beneficial to both men and
women.
 Endorphins generate a sense of well being,
suppress stress hormones and improve
immunity.
Cell Signaling
 “Because mirthful laughter induces the
release of β-endorphins which in turn have
high affinity for μ3 opiate receptors, we
hypothesize that such positive emotions
lead to the direct release of NO and
associated biological consequences.”
(Micheal Miller M.D and William F. Fry M.D.)
 This means that β-endorphins gravitate
towards μ3 opiate receptors. This releases
nitric oxide which can relax smooth muscles
and decrease swelling, creating a sense of
relaxation.
How do hormones affect
our health?
 GOOD HORMONES:
 Dopamine is an endorphin, meaning that
when it is released, you will feel good.
Dopamine can help to improve mental
awareness and clarity. A lack of dopamine
can cause fogginess or lack of
concentration.
 Serotonin known as the “happiness
hormone”. It keeps moods under control
and promotes a sense of happiness and well
being. It also reduces depression.
 BAD HORMONES
 Cortisol is released when we are faced with a
stressful situation. Unfortunately, in today’s
world, too many situations are interpreted as
stressful which causes an over production of
cortisol, which can make people feel angry or
anxious.
 An overproduction of any hormone can causes
a problem and present itself as a “bad
hormone”. For example, melatonin makes you
tired, which is good before bedtime but could
present disadvantages during the day.
Hormone Imbalances

Almost 90% of survey takers knew that hormone
imbalances can lead to serious illnesses.

Hormone imbalances can be caused by the use of
oral contraceptives in women, aging, exposure to
chemicals, cigarettes/alcohol, poor diet and stress.
 Both men and women can suffer from
hormone imbalances.
 They can range anywhere from common
insomnia, depression, or to more serious
illnesses.
Hormones released
during exercise
 56% of survey takers said they usually feel
energized after exercising.
 It is likely they feel this way because
exercise releases endorphins.
 Also, exercises such as yoga can promote
relaxation by suppressing cortisol levels
creating a sense of well being and
happiness.
The benefits of laughter
 Laughter decreases stress hormones and
increases antibodies thus improving your
immune system.
 It triggers the release of endorphins, which
naturally make you feel good.
 Laughter acts as a natural pain killer. One
study showed that laughing for 15 minutes
reduced a patient’s pain for nearly 2 hours.
 Laughter increases oxygen intake which
stimulates organs and improves health.
Surprising facts
 Laughter can actually increase the
production of T-cells (cancer fighting cells),
which can reduce your chance of getting
certain types of cancer.
 Even the anticipation of laughter can
suppress cortisol levels and cause you to
feel happier.
Men need estrogen?
 Estrogen is present in both females and
males.
 Estrogen is the hormone that keeps people
young. The presence of estrogen helps the
brain function, controls blood pressure and
protects the heart.
 Men that lack estrogen can be faced with
medical complications.
 This may be why more men than women are
faced with degenerative diseases.
Works cited

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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