Skip to main content
Heart Views : The Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association logoLink to Heart Views : The Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association
. 2023 Mar 24;24(2):124. doi: 10.4103/heartviews.heartviews_10_23

Laughter in Medicine

Rachel Hajar 1,
PMCID: PMC10249641  PMID: 37305335

graphic file with name HV-24-124-g001.jpg

It’s fun to share a good laugh. There is a saying that laughter is the best medicine, and this is true. Laughter is good for your health:

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 min after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughter burns calories. One study found that laughing for 10–15 min a day can burn approximately 40 calories – which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

Laughter helps you stay mentally healthy. Laughter makes you feel good. Moreover, this positive feeling remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.


Articles from Heart Views : The Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association are provided here courtesy of Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications

RESOURCES