The phrase “laughter is the best medicine” is often used to describe laughing as way to let off steam. However, can laughter be a literal form of medicine? Yes! Laughter has the potential to be a cure or form of therapy for certain kinds of mental health issues.
Eternal youth
A sincere smile activates the zygomatic major and orbicularis oculi facial muscles simultaneously, forming a grin that includes crinkling of the cheeks and eyes. A fake smile, on the other hand, results in uncoordinated contraction of those muscles. A genuine smile also usually comes hand-in-hand with other happy expressions of laughter which activate other facial muscles as well as respiratory and laryngeal muscles. These complex movements are believed to maintain skin integrity and structure, therefore reducing the appearance of wrinkles! Who knows…laughing may very well be the answer to eternal youth!
Stress relief
A study published in a Japanese journal (Tohoku J Exp Med) so effectively detailed the effects of laughter on stress reduction that it resulted in the formulation of a kind of therapy that specifically uses laughter as a cure for stress. The study showed that when a person laughs, it reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine in the blood. At the same time, it produces endorphins which result in short-term stress relief (Yim, 2016). There is additional research that shows laughter relieves physical tension and causes muscle relaxation for around 45 minutes. That makes one think…what if we spent some time every day smiling and laughing? Surely our worries would melt away!
Memory booster
The reduction of stress hormones and increase in endorphins don’t only relieve stress but also boost one’s cognitive skills, especially among the geriatric age group. Ageing increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, however these conditions can be prevented through – you guessed it – laughter! The release of endorphins when you laugh actually stimulates the secretion of dopamine to the brain, resulting in an improved mood and productivity which also replenishes the body’s systemic immunity and memory capabilities.
Away with depression and sleep problems
A 2017 study looked into the effect of laughter therapy on patients with depression and/or sleep issues as a form of alternative treatment (Ji Young, 2017). Both groups were exposed to 40 minutes of activities including laughing exercises, games and singing every fortnight for a month. Interestingly, the researchers found that the intervention group showed positive changes in symptoms of depression and sleep problems compared to the control group which did not receive any laughter therapy. Although the study did not conclusively state that laughter therapy is a cure, it described its potential in preventing further worsening of the symptoms studied. However, it was enough for some Japanese and South Korean hospitals to introduce laughter therapy as treatment.
At the end of the day…
Everyone is encouraged to be positive and laugh whenever appropriate, but keep in mind that all good things should be in moderation so our emotions remain balanced. Laugh away!
About the writer:
Siti Atiyah Ali obtained her Bachelor’s degree in audiology from UIAM and has just completed her Master’s degree in neuroscience from USM in early 2018. She is currently pursuing her PhD in cognitive neuroscience in USM Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
References:
- Yim J. (2016). Therapeutic Benefits of laughter in Mental Health: A Theorical Review. Tohoku J Exp Med. 239 (3): 243-9. doi: 10.1620/tjem.239.243
- https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/laughter-good-for-you/
- Ji Young H., Kyung Min P., dan Heeok P (2017). Effects of Laughter Therapy on Depression and Sleep Among Patients at Long Term care Hospitals. Korean J Adult Nurs. 29(5):560-568. https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2017.29.5.560
[This article belongs to The Malaysian Medical Gazette. Any republication (online or offline) without written permission from The Malaysian Medical Gazette is prohibited.]