Laughter Is The Best Medicine
Written by Inder Bhangoo
Edited by Diksha Kudlamath
July 31st 2021
Edited by Diksha Kudlamath
July 31st 2021
Our bodies have learned to protect ourselves from numerous threats. From disease to predators, we have evolved to stay safe and recover from most injuries. We have even developed medicines to fight against the dangers that we cannot fight on our own. We are naturally equipped with many different biological responses and reflexes that protect and heal us, but what if I told you that one of the most effective “medicines” is something most of us experience almost every day? A group of doctors researched the health benefits of laughter and found it to be highly effective against a variety of illnesses, including anxiety and depression.
It is important to understand that researchers studied two types of laughter. The first type of laughter is described as spontaneous laughter, which is laughter that is natural and “genuine”. The second type of laughter is simulated laughter, or laughter that is forcibly induced, either by yourself or through some sort of external stimuli such as tickling or laughing gas. Studies were conducted on both types of laughter and the results were compared. It turns out that spontaneous laughter has been found to significantly reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, increase pain tolerance, and boost levels of healthy immune cells such as natural killer cells and leukocytes (Louie et al., 2016). Another study has found that laughter serves to reduce future anxiety. In other words, the more you laugh now, the less anxious you will be in the future (Yovetich).
Simulated laughter had similar results to spontaneous laughter, although not as extreme. In short, the results of the studies conducted on simulated laughter reveal that this type of laughter has positive effects that are more like those of exercise. A separate study conducted with simulated laughter that compared it to yoga yielded very analogous results. Yoga and simulated laughter have very similar positive effects on the body such as reduced levels of cortisol, lower average blood pressure, and a significant decrease in depression scores (Louie).
In summary, the physiological effects of laughter are a new field of research that is being explored. Initial research has been fruitful, revealing the immense potential of laughter as a new form of therapy and treatment for a variety of ailments. This new emerging wonder drug is a natural, free, and risk-free way of improving one's health and quality of life. Uncovering the potential of laughter is a sure way of making the world a better place.
Works Cited
Louie, D., Brook, K., & Frates, E. (2016). The laughter prescription. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 10(4), 262-267. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827614550279
Yovetich, N. A., Dale, J. A., & Hudak, M. A. (1990). Benefits of Humor in Reduction of Threat-Induced Anxiety. Psychological Reports, 66(1), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1990.66.1.51