According to many scientists and therapists, laughter is the key to better health. Through laughter, blood pressure is lowered, and the immune system and mental health of a person become stronger.

Researchers and therapists have focused primarily on the effects of laughter on the immune system in their studies. According to Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California, with laughter, positive stress is given off by the body. This causes the immune system to act more quickly and efficiently. Due to this, cells increase both in their number and energy level.

For example, T-cells, which fight infections, become more active when a person laughs. Furthermore, the quantities of immunoglobin A and B increase also. Immunoglobin A works for the respiratory tract, while immunoglobin B provides antibodies with the strength to attack dysfunctional cells. Consequently, all of these important disease-fighting agents appear to greatly depend on simple laughter.

In addition to benefits for the immune system, laughter also decreases blood pressure and stress hormones. According to research, dopamine, a hormone that increases blood level, significantly decreased. Along with dopamine, the levels of epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormones were also shown to decline.

Moreover, the next main focus of the effects of laughter is mental health. Through laughter, patients in hospitals are able to forget about their pains and diseases. This allows them to build more confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, the laughter gives hope and a feel of control. This has been especially effective for chronically ill patients.

In response to these three different benefits of laughter treatment, laughter clubs have been created to aid those in need of therapy. These clubs started in the mid-1990s by a physician named Madan Kataria. Today, thirty-minute sessions during laughter clubs are based on pure laughing, without any jokes. Stretching and various breathing exercises are also included in these sessions.

Although laughter is sometimes considered a minor part in life, it indeed holds a very significant role in health. The three aspects of human beings mentioned previously can be seen to be greatly impacted by laughter. Through this knowledge, many therapists have been urging people to laugh and soothe their minds. Wanna try? Just relax and let loose; laughing will truly make your body smile.