More and more studies are certifying the positive effects of laughter on mental health. Laughter activates certain brain areas, causing us to feel better, see problems less seriously, feel less stressed, happier, and more energetic. Freud, the father of Psychoanalysis, already said that “letting out a laugh” is a mechanism our body uses to release tension and anguish.

Psychological Benefits of Laughter

• Reduces stress and anxiety; when we laugh, we secrete endorphins associated with happiness. The more we laugh, the more endorphins we generate, thus increasing the feeling of well-being. In addition, when we laugh, we also secrete dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters involved in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Laughter also reduces the cortisol associated with stress and regulates the “adrenaline,” a hormone that helps our body cope with alarm and stress.
• It contributes to generating resilience, the innate or developed capacity that allows us to overcome adverse situations and emerge from them stronger. The ability to laugh at ourselves or our problems can help us relativize our difficulties.
• It improves memory since laughter oxygenates the brain and relaxes the mind. When we laugh, twice as much air enters our lungs, oxygenating our whole organism.
• It favors creative thinking and imagination, closely associated with good humor. This, in turn, allows us to find solutions to our problems; laughter and humor enhance our creativity.
• Increases self-esteem, we feel good; we value ourselves more.
• It improves our social relationships by activating the cortical areas in social relationships. Interpersonal relationships improve when we are “laughing” with other people, strengthening emotional bonds.
• It enhances empathy and reciprocity by activating mirror neurons that allow imitation and putting ourselves in another person’s place.
• It favors forgiveness; we are more willing to forgive by improving interpersonal relationships and empathizing more.

Physical Benefits of Laughter

• Skin rejuvenation: Laughter has a toning and anti-wrinkle effect because when we laugh, the heart pumps faster, and more air enters the lungs, improving circulation and oxygenation, as well as the elimination of toxins.
• We increase endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline, improving our physical well-being. Endorphins even affect pain receptors in the brain and act as natural painkillers.
• Decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
• The vibration of the head causes the nose and ear to clear.
• The relaxing effects of laughter allow you to sleep better, reducing insomnia.
• Reducing blood pressure and improving our respiratory capacity prevents heart attacks and allows good oxygenation of our organs since, when we laugh out loud, we take twice as much air as in normal breathing.
• Strengthening of the immune system. Laughter produces more antibodies that fight against viruses and bacteria, strengthening our body.
• Activation of mirror neurons is responsible for imitating behavior, which makes laughter contagious.
• It improves digestion and the elimination of fats and wastes since laughter contracts the abdomen and improves the digestive process.
• Relaxation of muscle tension and strengthening and toning of muscles are not usually used; when we laugh out loud, more than 400 muscles are activated!
• You have increased life expectancy due to all the benefits mentioned above. Incredible truth! Now, name someone who makes you laugh.