Norman Cousins, in Anatomy of an Illness, is said to have started the mind-body medicine phenomenon that led to much of the research proving laughter is good medicine. From a biological standpoint, laughter releases feel good hormones. Feel good hormones can lead to physical healing. In addition, researchers proved that simply holding a pencil between your teeth forced the muscles in your face into the same position a smile would, and this was enough to release the same beneficial hormones. So far, I realize I am probably preaching to the choir.

There is more, and this is new. Loma Linda University in California researchers completed a study that shows just the anticipation of a humorous experience can trigger the activation of feel good hormones. According to Professor Lee Berk, people who are aware they are about to watch their favorite funny video had 27 percent more beta endorphins and 87 percent more human growth hormone, HGH, than people who are told they will be reading magazines for an hour. Beta endorphins provide natural pain relief. HGH is involved in growth, development and cell maintenance, and there is research to suggest it plays a role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Berk poetically calls the anticipation of laughter the biology of hope.