Question

What [writer Norman] Cousins discovered on his own, researchers have recently been trying to prove through scientific study: that laughter can relieve pain, reduce depression, promote relaxation, boost the immune system, improve blood flow and breathing, lower blood pressure and glucose levels, and even slow the growth of cancer cells. “Studies indicate that participating in laughter therapy is beneficial in terms of disease control,” says William Fry, M.D., professor emeritus at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

–“Laughter Yoga to Improve Health?
It’s No Joke,”
Sally Abrahms

Which summary statement best synthesizes information from the two sources?

Laughter can help improve blood flow and breathing when properly applied.
Laughter has been studied by both writers and scientific researchers.
Laughter triggers the production of neurochemicals that make you feel calm.
Laughter can relieve many conditions, such as stress, by stopping the release of stress hormones.

Answer 1

"Laughter has been studied by both writers and scientific researchers."

This best synthesizes the two sources: Cousins’ observations and later scientific studies (cited by Abrahms and Fry) both focus on laughter’s health effects.