Make Your Breast Milk Healthier Through Laughter

Laughter elevates the levels of breast-milk melatonin.

(Journal of Phychosomatic Research, June, 2007) Patients with atopic eczema (AE) often complain of sleep disturbance. Melatonin is involved in sleep, and the levels of blood melatonin in patients with AE are decreased in comparison to healthy subjects. The effect of laughter on the levels of breast-milk melatonin was studied in mothers with AE. Moreover, the effect of feeding with breast milk after laughter on allergic responses in infants was studied.

Forty-eight infants aged 5-6 months were enrolled. All of the infants had AE and were allergic to latex and house dust mite (HDM). Half of the mothers of these infants were patients with AE, while another 24 mothers were healthy subjects. The mothers viewed either an 87-min humorous DVD (Modern Times, featuring Charlie Chaplin) or an 87-min nonhumorous weather information DVD. The levels of breast-milk melatonin were measured. In addition, skin wheal responses to HDM and histamine were studied in infants.

Laughter caused by viewing a humorous DVD increased the levels of breast-milk melatonin in both mothers with AE and healthy mothers. In addition, allergic responses to latex and HDM of infants were reduced by feeding with breast milk after laughter of mothers with AE or of healthy mothers.

Laughter increased the levels of breast-milk melatonin in both mothers with AE and healthy mothers, and feeding infants with increased levels of melatonin-containing milk reduced allergic responses in infants. Thus, laughter of mothers may be helpful in the treatment of infants with AE.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• There's two things that are truly great about this study. 1) There is no bias from researchers with vested interest. In other words, there is nothing to sell after this research is published (except maybe Charlie Chaplin movies). No drug, no potion or pill... just a natural way for your body to produce what it already has the ability to make and can do when given the right environment. 2) The study also shows the power of the human mind. These individuals were not consciously trying to increase their melatonin levels through emotion, but it happened anyway. What you may not realize is that this is something you can consciously do every day.


• Your attitude and belief system has a huge impact on your health, and it's something you can absolutely control. In fact your emotional state may be one of the most important factors in your health (yes, even more than chiropractic). Some say: "I'll believe it when I see it." What I'm telling you is You will see it when you believe it.