This paper examines whether laughter functions as a form of medicine by reviewing and synthesizing competing bodies of research. Drawing on Ronald Berk's synthesis of three decades of psychophysiological studies, the paper outlines eight psychological and seven physiological benefits of laughter, including improvements to the immune, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. It then considers supporting research by Miller and Burchowski before turning to Rod Martin's critical analysis, which argues that existing empirical evidence is mixed, small-scale, and largely inconclusive. The paper concludes with a personal reflection on the author's lived experience with humor as a coping mechanism, ultimately arguing that even uncertain evidence should not discourage the use of laughter as a supplemental therapeutic tool.
Is laughter the best medicine, as the expression often states? The research findings are mixed. Some researchers, such as Ronald Berk, point to the positive benefits of laughing, concluding that humor causes psychological and physiological changes in the body comparable to aerobic exercise. Other researchers, such as Rod Martin, are skeptical about these results. Martin argues that, at best, the research is mixed and that no definitive studies have actually proven the value of laughing. Yet, taken from a broader perspective, a compelling question remains: if there is any chance that laughter may help those suffering from physical or psychological pain, why not attempt to use it as a form of "medicine"? It surely cannot hurt.
Berk (2001), at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, synthesized three decades of research conducted on 15 psychophysiological advantages of humor and laughter, with particular attention to the elderly. Based on the studies he reviewed, Berk identified eight positive psychological benefits of laughter: humor reduces anxiety, stress, depression, and loneliness, while also improving self-esteem, restoring hope and energy, and providing a sense of empowerment and control. Physically, laughter produces seven advantages involving the central nervous, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, immune, and cardiovascular systems.
Berk (2001) also reports research findings that support improved mental functioning. Laughter raises catecholamine levels in the body, which enhance overall cognitive performance. The post-laugh euphoric experience has been linked to adequate functioning of both the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Although these effects do not reverse the aging process, older adults who laugh regularly experience better interpersonal responsiveness, greater alertness, and improved memory.
In addition, Berk reports that laughter relaxes muscles and can serve as a form of exercise. Studies show that laughter requires the facial muscles to move in a coordinated fashion in 15 different ways, along with spasmodic skeletal muscle contractions involving a large amount of muscle tissue. Laughter creates a complete bodily response that is clinically advantageous, exercising the facial, chest, abdominal, and skeletal muscles while relaxing tension in the neck, shoulders, and abdomen. This is especially important for elderly individuals who are confined to a wheelchair or bedridden.
According to Berk (2001), laughter also improves respiration by exercising the lungs and chest muscles, thereby conditioning the lungs and enhancing respiratory function. These effects can benefit older patients who suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses such as emphysema, and may reduce the risk of bronchial infection and pneumonia. With regard to the circulatory system, laughter initially increases heart rate and blood pressure, exercising the myocardium and enhancing both arterial and venous circulation — benefits analogous to those of aerobic exercise. This can be particularly advantageous for elderly individuals who are sedentary due to physical limitations or disabilities.
Berk also notes that stress hormones are decreased through laughter. When the body is stressed, it secretes hormones that have negative physiological effects. Laughter is characterized as eustress, or healthy stress, which positively affects neuroendocrine and stress hormone levels. A number of studies further show that laughter enhances the immune system — for example, by increasing immunoglobulin in saliva, tears, and intestinal secretions, which defend against viral and bacterial infections. Finally, laughter's effect on pain has been demonstrated through anecdotal, rather than quantitative, studies.
Berk's positive analysis of laughter is supported by other researchers. Miller (2009) reports that in a study of 20 healthy individuals, laughing was as beneficial for the arteries as aerobic activity. He explains that the endothelium regulates blood flow, adjusts the blood's tendency to coagulate and clot, secretes chemicals in response to wounds and infection, and plays a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease. It is, in fact, the first site of development in atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Laughing may therefore be important to maintaining a healthy endothelium and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. At minimum, it can offset the mental stress that harms endothelial function. Miller suggests that 30 minutes of exercise three times a week combined with 15 minutes of laughter daily is optimal for the vascular system — a finding that, as Berk also noted, could have a positive impact on elderly individuals who are currently sedentary.
"Skeptical review finds mixed, inconclusive empirical results"
"Author connects research to lived experience and nursing homes"
Overall, it is striking that so many studies must be conducted to test whether laughter can be helpful — much like asking whether a sunny day benefits most people. As Berk notes, only very few people in very rare cases may experience a negative effect from laughter. If, on balance — even with mixed research results — laughter can produce some positive psychological and physiological effect, there is little reason to hesitate in offering it as one form of "medicine." Even a neutral reaction is better than no intervention at all. The debate over laughter's health effects may ultimately be a moot point: laughter cannot hurt, and it may well help. The more productive question is how best to bring laughter to those who are suffering — including the elderly and others in pain — rather than whether it deserves to be tried at all.
You’re 53% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.