A more radical idea is that a person's thoughts and emotions act directly on the immune system, the body's disease-fighting mechanism. Studies show that emotions may directly stimulate the production of brain chemicals that enhance or undermine the immune system. Usually the first thing to go under a stressful situation is one's sense of humor. Those individuals who can see humor in everyday life have a physiological advantage over those who take life too seriously. Laughter can lower blood pressure, increase muscle flexion and trigger a flood of endorphins, the brain chemicals that can bring on euphoria.
Laughter can also profoundly affect our immune system.
Gamma-interferon, a disease fighting protein, rises with laughter. Laughter also shuts off the flow of stress hormones, the fight or flight compounds that come into play when we feel hostility, rage and stress. Stress hormones suppress the immune system, raise blood pressure and increase the number of platelets in our blood, which can cause fatal artery blockages. Study after study confirms the fact that our thinking patterns have a profound effect on our physical health. Although we don't understand the exact connection between health and attitude, research does offer clues on using your mind to stay healthy.