By Giota Papapavlou (A Class)

Aristotle described laughter as “a bodily exercise precious to health, ” an assessment that science is now proving correct.

Today, some doctors are prescribing comedy to help cure ailments, in light of a recent study suggesting that laughter improves blood vessel function. Researchers at the University use movies to gauge the effect of emotions on the cardiovascular system – to dilate blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. In contrast, scenes inducing mental stress  led to reduced blood flow. The endothelium  plays a cardinal role in the body, not only regulating blood flow but also secreting chemicals in regulating blood  flow but also secreting chemicals in response to wounds or infections.