the benefits of blogging -- a study relating to the cause of blogging

as often, scientific american translates it best: a study published in february 2008 in the oncologist report studied blogging cancer patients. in plain words, with more below, blogging seems to have a positive effect on brains and bodies.

"Self-medication may be the reason the blogosphere has taken off. Scientists (and writers) have long known about the therapeutic benefits of writing about personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. But besides serving as a stress-coping mechanism, expressive writing produces many physiological benefits. Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in AIDS patients, and even speeds healing after surgery."

this is not new, as the article was already published in the june 2008 scientific american article "blogging -- it's good for you". but thanks to an alert reader i now heard of it. with happy social media addicts taking over the next generation on one hand and a backlash on the other from irritated, confused and overwhelmed everyone else, i thought it's worth defending blogging in the deluge of new expressions.

i wonder if there might be any medical benefits to facebooking, youtubing, tweeting, and what else is in the tubes.