Agitation in dementia patients can be reduced without drugs

You’re always ready for an endorphin infusion.

Endorphins are those famously feel-good biochemicals. And your brain has vast numbers of receptors that receive endorphins

But a rush of good feelings isn’t the best part. Endorphins, released by laughter, reduce pain and stress hormones.

Researchers tested the endorphin effect on subjects with dementia and agitation. Subjects received humor therapy for 12 weeks.

Agitation dropped by 20%. That’s a remarkable result. Most remarkably, benefits lasted more than six months.

Humor therapy may be easy to come by. Many hospitals offer alternative treatments. Some include humor therapy. Or you can sneak in a DVD of The Pink Panther. (The original, of course.)

Sources:
“Laughter Lift” UNSW Media Office, University of New South Wales, 9/21/11, unsw.edu.au