Can laughter cure illnesses or not: Psychologist's explanation
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
Laughter is a normal and natural physiological reaction. However, it's often said that laughter acts like medicine on our bodies. Let's find out whether this is really the case, citing the medical community Berezhy Sebe (Take Care of Yourself).
Brain works during laughter
Psychologist Beata Nad explained that evolutionarily, laughter is a signal that all is well and it's okay to relax.
From a neurological standpoint, this is a rather complex process involving many different parts of the brain. When we laugh or even just observe someone laughing, we activate the motor cortex of the brain, which is responsible for movement.
Laughter increases the consumption of oxygen-rich air, improves blood circulation, stimulates the heart, lungs, and muscles. Consequently, more oxygen-rich blood reaches the brain, which can improve its health, including reducing the risk of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, memory impairment, and depression.
Moreover, the more laughter you have in individual and social environments, the less is the risk of dementia.
Even a brief laughter during the workday can help a person think more clearly and creatively. A few minutes spent watching funny memes or exchanging jokes with colleagues can help improve cognitive functions and increase productivity.
Laughter promotes good mood
Laughter is a powerful engine for the production of endorphins in the brain - natural compounds that promote good well-being, improve mood, reduce overall anxiety and stress, and relieve pain.
Laughter helps cope with stress: heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, etc. decrease. Over time, even the level of the "stress hormone" cortisol may decrease in a person who has laughed.
The expert noted that endorphins released during laughter can even induce euphoria.
She explained why laughter is so contagious: that is because the spread of endorphin release in groups promotes a sense of unity and safety.
Laughter is a key factor in forming social bonds. Take advantage of the emotional, mental, and physical benefits of laughter.
The psychologist added that daily laughs cannot cure diseases, but they definitely have a beneficial effect on health and can be a great preventive measure for many diseases and a complement to basic treatment methods.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
