Is Laughter a Form of Therapeutic Medicine?

Laughter therapy reduces anxiety and increases life satisfaction, giving you a natural way to calm your mind and feel more fulfilled Spontaneous laughter lowers cortisol, your main stress hormone, by about one-third, protecting you from stress-related problems like weight gain, weakened immunity, and heart disease Studies show laughter therapy improves sleep, mood, and even reduces inflammation, making it a powerful tool for both mental and physical health Older adults who laugh more often are less likely to develop disability, depression, or insomnia, helping them stay independent and resilient You can use laughter like medicine by scheduling daily laughter sessions, sharing humor with others, and mixing structured approaches like laughter yoga with spontaneous laughter