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Posted on Nov 17, 2008, 9 a.m.
By Rich Hurd
Recent study results suggest that laughing and listening to music that makes people feel joyful can help to improve blood vessel function.
Recent study results suggest that laughing and listening to music that makes people feel joyful can help to improve blood vessel function.
Michael Miller and colleagues studied the effect of different music on 10 volunteers. While the volunteers were listening to the music the researchers measured how well their blood vessels responded to a sudden increase in blood flow caused by the release of a blood pressure cuff.
Results showed that when the volunteers listened to music that made them feel joyful their blood vessels dilated by 26%. In comparison, listening to music that made the volunteers feel anxious caused blood vessels to dilate by 6%. Laughter was also found to improve blood flow. Listening to a comedy tape caused blood vessels to dilate by 19%.
Miller M, Beach V, Mangano C, Vogel RA. Positive Emotions and the Endothelium: Does Joyful Music Improve Vascular Health?” Miller M, Beach V, Mangano C, Vogel RA. Presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, November 11th 2008.
