Do This Daily for Your Heart Health: Laugh Your Heart Out!

Laughter and heart health might seem like an unlikely pairing until you hear the science behind it.   Dr. Regina Druz is joined by Dr. Sam Shay, a functional medicine doctor who also happens to be a stand-up comic. Together, they explore how humor therapy works on a biological level, from lowering stress hormones to improving blood flow. Could laughter help prevent heart disease? And what role does humor play in building trust between patients and practitioners?   Dr. Shay shares how comedy became part of his clinical practice after growing up in a family shaped by cardiovascular illness. He explains why humor rooted in truth can disarm fear, build connection, and shift a patient’s mindset, which are all crucial elements when it comes to healing.   This episode invites a different perspective on heart health, one where humor isn’t a distraction but a meaningful tool for connection, resilience, and recovery.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Heart Health and Humor 01:05 Personal Story and Family Heart Disease 04:05 Science Behind Laughter Therapy 08:57 How Humor Supports Cardiovascular Health 19:31 Practical Ways to Use Humor for Health 21:13 Humor in Clinical Practice 30:01 The Neural Harmony Model 38:00 Humor as a Tool for Truth and Connection   Links Connect with Sam Shay: Neurospicy Stand-Up Comedy Special https://youtu.be/auxjQWEGFCQ?si=rDl8KbDiqTRMLu7F   Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/ Schedule a Business Meeting: https://calendly.com/heartcenters  🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters  Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm