Laughter: The Best Medicine

By: Reva Agarwal

Laughing

During the stressful times of covid-19, “laughter is the best medicine”. This common phrase rings with truth. Laughter has many positive effects on mental, physical, and emotional health. It can boost immune systems and mood, and lower your stress.

Research shows that laughter releases endorphins. Endorphins are tiny neurochemicals released by our bodies when we exercise, eat, or as a response to pain or stress. Endorphins are natural pain relievers which explains why it feels good to laugh. They are released from opioid receptors. Other feel-good drugs also bind to these receptors to create the feeling of euphoria. Unlike drugs, laughter does not have harmful side effects. Giggles don’t only boost moods, they also help socially. Genuine laughter puts people at ease and creates a feeling of safety and togetherness. Because laughter is contagious, one person beginning to laugh will lead to the whole group laughing along even if they don’t know the reason.

There are many types of laughter, and not all laughter has the same effects. “Tickling laughter is thought to be a more reflex-like behavior confined to the context of tickling and play which enforces play behavior and social bonding.”

https://www.healthline.com/health/endorphins#:~:text=Since%20endorphins%20act%20on%20the,eating%2C%20exercise

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2017/06/05/six-science-based-reasons-why-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/?sh=394298f77f04