You’ve probably heard the phrase, “laughter is the
best medicine,” but did you know it’s actually true?
Here are five science-backed ways laughing
has a positive effect on your well-being.
1. Laughing with other people releases
endorphins in your brain called opioid receptors,
which create a feeling of euphoria.
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Matt Bellace says
the “natural high” you get from laughing is far
“superior” to a drug-induced one.
2. Both men and women view a sense of humor as
one of the most attractive traits in a potential mate.
Couples that laugh together have also been found
to have a higher-quality relationship.
3. Laughter can improve your heart’s vascular function and
circulation, which in turn lowers your risk of a heart attack. .
In addition, the endorphins released by laughing
can lower your blood pressure, which reduces anxiety
and takes tension off of your heart.
4. Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes has been
found to burn between 10 and 40 calories.
Laughter also reduces cortisol levels,
which is a stress hormone that causes
fat to be stored around your belly. .
5. Laughter can cause the brain's cerebral cortex
to release electrical impulses, which block the
passage of negative thoughts.
According to Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist
from the University of Wisconsin, laughing can help
promote a “positive, optimistic outlook.”