How Much Does Laughing Affect Your Body?

March 13, 2018
How much does laughing affect your body? - Soma Technology, Inc.

How much does laughing affect your body? - Soma Technology, Inc.

How much does laughing affect your body?

Having a good time and laughing with your friends is fun, but did you know it can actually improve your health? A Maryland School of Medicine study showed that laughter causes the endothelium to expand which causes an increase in blood flow. The Endothelium is the inner lining of your blood vessels. A good belly laugh can send 20% more blood flowing throughout your body. Since stress has the exact opposite effect on your body, restricting blood flow, laughing might be the perfect remedy.

Laughter is Good for your Health

A true laugh relaxes the entire body. It relieves physical tensions and stress and can leave your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes. Studies show that laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. When you laugh your body also releases a chemical called endorphins. These are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Cardiovascular Remedies

Since laughing increases blood flow, this helps protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. The endothelium regulates the flow of blood and adjusts coagulation and blood thickening in response to wounds and infections. The endothelium can be affected by the hardening of the arteries, commonly called atherosclerosis. This is a major cause of heart disease and even death. When you laugh your blood pressure rises and blood flow increases. When you stop laughing your blood pressure drops back to its baseline which causes a relaxing effect. The relaxation helps bring down blood pressure and generates deeper breathing which sends more oxygenated blood throughout the body.

Is this a cure for heart disease? The answer is no. There are some contraindications that should be mentioned. For example, if someone already has a heart disease laughter can actually have a negative effect and cause more distress on the body. It is recommended that you always take the safe approach and avoid extremes of any kind.  Intense and force laughter is neither helpful nor necessary. After a certain point, your body stops producing endorphins and actually shifts into distress. So remember to be happy and stay safe!

What Can you do to Laugh?

  • Watch a funny movie, TV show, or YouTube video
  • Read the funny pages
  • Share a good joke or a funny story
  • Host a game night with friends
  • Play with a pet
  • Do something silly
  • Goof around with children
  • Invite friends or co-workers to go to a comedy club

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