Greenwich Time had an article in the Health section by Seth Borenstein from the Associated Press on April 7, 2010 about laughter. We all know laughter is good for you, but the most interesting part of this article, for me, is that he says that even rats can laugh. I know my dog Sunshine smiles, but do those rats laugh?
Writes Borenstein, “Northwestern University biomedical engineering professor Jeffrey Burgdorf has found that laughter in rats produces an insulin-like growth factor chemical that acts and an antidepresant and anxiety-reducer.” Rats laugh?? Apparently they do. Borenstein also writes that another professor, Jaak Panksepp, a Bowling Green University psychologist, studies rats when they laugh. Here is the utube showing Panksepp and his laughing rats. This might even get you to laugh along.
