The Surprising Power of Laughter: Health Benefits and Risks Explored

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in PLOS One has found that spontaneous laughter can significantly reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to positive effects for overall health. The analysis revealed an overall significant reduction in cortisol levels (31.9%) induced by laughter compared to the control group, even with a single laughter session. The study supports previous research showing the benefits of laughter, including its cardioprotective effect and potential metabolic effects. However, differences in methods of inducing laughter and variations in the timing of cortisol level measurements among the studies are limitations to consider.