A 2020 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology followed more than 17,000 Japanese adults 40 and above. The findings revealed that those who laughed less than once a month had a 95 percent higher risk of death compared to people who laughed at least once a week. Participants who laughed less than once a week but more than once a month had an elevated risk of heart issues compared to weekly laughers.
"Laughter can help improve circulation by dilating the inner lining of the blood vessels, thereby getting more blood and nutrients to the tissues and organs. It can reduce the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine which, if in excess, are linked to heart disease," Dr. Trent Orfanos, director of Integrative and Functional Cardiology at Case Integrative Health, told The Epoch Times.
"Additionally, improved blood flow helps maintain a more flexible and resilient heart rhythm, known as heart rate variability, which is a sign of a healthy heart," said Orfanos, a functional cardiologist.
Cindy Perlin, a licensed clinical social worker, chronic pain survivor, and author of "The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free," shared her story with The Epoch Times about how laughter helped her manage severe chronic back pain.
She first discovered the power of laughter in 1980 when she read the book "Anatomy of an Illness" by Norman Cousins. In the book, Cousins shares how he healed from a painful joint disease, ankylosing spondylitis, using laughter therapy.
"At the time I read Cousins' book on how laughter can be a tool for healing and finding relief, I was three years into being disabled by chronic back pain, starting at the age of 25. Doctors had no answers for me. I was watching the Holocaust miniseries and reading novels about World War II to distract myself from the pain. I had no idea that what I was filling my mind with was contributing to my pain," Perlin told The Epoch Times.
"The pain was so terrible that I would have done almost anything to get rid of it. And certainly, using humor is a much more pleasant option than most treatments for chronic pain. During stressful periods of my life, I have had pain flares, but never as bad as the initial one, because I have tools now that I can use to manage them, including humor."
Drawing from her clinical experience, Perlin pointed out that clients open to a mind-body approach to healing tend to have better outcomes, and those who incorporate humor enjoy a higher quality of life. On the other hand, clients who remain in a negative and fearful state of mind often show little improvement.
"I remember one client who came to me who had cancer. She told me she liked to watch scary movies for entertainment. I told her that staying in a fearful state while she was watching those movies was detrimental to her immune system, but she insisted that she liked them and didn't want to stop. She died of cancer not that long after. I don't know how much of a difference it would have made, but it could have extended her life and reduced her pain to spend more time in laughter rather than fear," Perlin said.
"Laughter is especially beneficial during difficult moments in life when the body becomes too tense, starts to ache, or, worse, develops diseases," Gary Tucker, a licensed psychotherapist and chief clinical officer at D'Amore Mental Health, told The Epoch Times in an email.
"Once we feel less anxious and stay present in the moment, our mental and physical well-being improves, our immune system strengthens, and our life expectancy increases. That's why many say laughter can act as true medicine and heal our minds and bodies," said Tucker.
Laughter yoga combines laughter exercises with breathing techniques inspired by traditional yoga. It typically involves guided sessions where participants engage in playful activities, clapping, chanting, and laughter exercises, regardless of whether the laughter starts naturally.
The study lasted five weeks and included 10 online laughter therapy sessions held twice a week. Participants in the intervention group joined these sessions through an online platform. Researchers collected data remotely using reliable online tools to measure anxiety, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being among the participants.
Laughter can also help with trauma, said Perlin, who has used laughter as a therapeutic tool for her clients, including one who has suffered childhood trauma.
"I would not over-rely on laughter alone for heart health and longevity, although I feel it is complementary to diet and exercise, which are more powerful. Sometimes, laughter might be stress-induced, which may not have the benefits of joyful laughter. Overall, I think the benefits of joyful laughter far outweigh the risks," said Orfanos.
So, laugh out loud, giggle, watch a comedy, or engage in any activity that brings you joy and makes you smile. The change can be "heartwarming."