The Science Behind Laughter, The Powerful Benefits Of A Good Chuckle, And How To Add A Little Humor To Your Life

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The Science Behind Laughter, The Powerful Benefits Of A Good Chuckle, And How To Add A Little Humor To Your Life

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The Science Behind Laughter, The Powerful Benefits Of A Good Chuckle, And How To Add A Little Humor To Your Life

13 min read MAR 17, 2025

Do you have any strategies or practices in place to routinely relax and manage stress levels?

Are you doing anything regularly to keep your heart healthy, thereby reducing your risk of heart attack or stroke?

If you struggle with depression, is there anything you’re doing on a regular basis to mitigate these symptoms?

And, keeping in line with mental health, what are you doing to make sure you’re giving your mind a break from time to time?

Then, what about pain levels? As we age, pain seems to be more and more of a reality, so what are you doing to decrease pain?

Looking over the questions listed above, I’m sure you can easily think of a number of things you can do to promote health regarding each area or item.

Perhaps some solutions involve medications, and maybe others involve supplements, oils, and other therapies.

Maybe you immediately thought of dietary solutions to the above problems. Or, perhaps exercise is your primary choice for mitigating any of the above areas of concern.

But, what if I told you that each of the common health concerns listed above could actually be positively affected by…laughter!

And no, that’s not a joke.

Laughter has benefits that span nearly every area of health and wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, and even social rewards that one can reap when laughing.

So, how does laughter bring about health benefits? Does a single giggle count, or do you only reap these rewards from an evening of belly laughs?

What kind of laughter improves health? Are we talking a mere chuckle or do you need to engage in raucous, side-splitting bursts of hysterics?

And, what actually causes us to laugh in the first place, or better yet, what goes on inside your body when you laugh?

Whew…that’s a lot of questions! Thankfully we’re here to answer these inquiries and more as we look at the science behind laughter and how it can powerfully improve your health.

The Science Of Laughter

Two young women sharing a joyful moment indoors. One woman with curly hair, wearing a yellow headband and mustard top, is talking on the phone and smiling widely. The other woman, dressed in a denim shirt over a white top, is laughing heartily while looking at her friend. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on their expressions of happiness.

Freud has said that we laugh for the purpose of release. In other words, laughter allows us to release pent up nervousness, or “nervous energy.”

Prior to this, Plato and other philosophers believed laughter stemmed from introspection - laughing at earlier versions of oneself - and egotism - laughing at others due to feelings of superiority.

And, a third theory behind the reason for laughter involves our propensity to chuckle at those things which seem out of place. For instance, laughing at unexpected, even unimaginable, solutions or chuckling at statements with a double meaning.

In some ways, I think you can find each of these to be at the root of laughter, depending on the person and circumstance.

In other ways, each of these theories, even the sum of these theories, is inadequate.

Why? Because the root of laughter is often subjective - you know, what I find to be funny, may not be funny to you, and so on.

Of course, we all seem to innately understand this. But, what we don’t routinely understand is why people laugh and what is going on within our bodies and minds during such outbursts.

So, to understand the science of laughter, let’s tackle those questions.

Why do people laugh?

A joyful moment between a mother and her baby lying on a white bed. The baby, dressed in a white onesie with colorful polka dots, smiles brightly while being held. The mother, with wavy red-blonde hair and wearing a mustard yellow top, leans in close, smiling lovingly at her child. Both appear happy and connected, radiating warmth and affection.

Did you know humans aren’t the only species that laugh?

Even animals, such as apes, dogs, foxes, seals, and more, engage in laughter.

But, humans actually do this from a very young age.

As early as 3 months, even prior to uttering their first words, infants begin to laugh.

But why?

Broadly speaking, we laugh in response to various stimuli.

The same is mostly true regarding crying.

And, each of these types of responses are simply physiological.

In other words, like crying, laughter is an involuntary function, one that is primarily triggered by your nervous system in response to a specific kind of stimuli.

When a person encounters something they find to be humorous, they involuntarily laugh.

This reaction can range from the involvement of a few muscles in your face and upper body to a total body engagement.

In infants, laughter aids in muscle development, particularly as it engages the eyes, head, and shoulders. During this stage it also serves to improve upper body strength.

Of course, like adults, infants can also experience improved emotions, etc. when laughing.

And, like infants, adults can also experience upper body…even whole body…muscle engagement and strengthening.

But, as you may have guessed, there is far more going on under the surface when we laugh.

What happens in your body and mind when you laugh?

Two women sitting on a white couch, laughing together and clearly enjoying each other’s company. One woman is wearing an orange t-shirt and the other a teal blue one. Both are holding their stomachs as they laugh heartily, surrounded by yellow cushions in a bright, airy room with large windows in the background. The atmosphere is cheerful and full of warmth.

Like exercise, laughter causes your muscles to expand and contract. Generally, this involves your facial, chest, abdominal, and skeletal muscles.

When you laugh, your pulse and heart rate also become elevated.

Actually, when you begin to laugh, this signals a fight or flight response in your body as well.

Now, normally this wouldn’t be a good thing, but within 20 minutes of laughter your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension all drop below baseline levels promoting relaxation and calmness that can be experienced for up to 45 minutes after your “last laugh.”

Then, in your brain there are many regions which engage even as you simply process a laughter-promoting joke.

Your brain’s left hemisphere, frontal lobe, and occipital lobe, for instance, are all engaged when laughing.

Laughter also causes an increase in catecholamine levels which can affect mental functions such as responsiveness, memory, and focus.

And, laughter is also thought to prompt the release of endorphins as well as decrease the secretion of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.

But, how do these bodily responses translate to better health?

The Healing Powers of Laughter

We briefly covered what happens inside your body when you laugh but now let’s look at the ways some of those responses actually bring benefits to your overall health and wellness.

1- Physical

Two women exercising on stationary bikes in a gym, smiling and enjoying their workout. The woman in the foreground is wearing a dark sports bra and maroon leggings, listening to music with wired earphones, and gripping the handlebars with gloved hands. The woman behind her is also smiling, creating a positive and energetic atmosphere. The gym has large windows letting in natural light, with other people working out in the background.

When you laugh, your immune system gets a boost as this increases the production of antibody-producing cells while also enhancing the effectiveness of your T-cells.

Studies also show an association between laughter and decreased prevalence of heart disease.

This is likely due to laughter’s ability to carry an increased amount of oxygen-rich air to your heart and lungs as well as its ability to decrease heart rate and blood pressure.

As laughter stimulates circulation and promotes muscle relaxation, stress levels also improve.

Some studies have shown that laughter can reduce pain through its ability to prompt the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, and each of which act as natural painkillers. Even the relaxation and contraction of muscles during laughter serves to alleviate pain.

The act of laughing works to strengthen the muscles in your core, even extending to engage your chest muscles and diaphragm.

“Regular laughing is also connected with reduced all-cause mortality. This suggests laughter can enhance longevity.”

2- Mental

A diverse group of people sitting in a circle, engaging in a lively and positive group discussion. A woman in a yellow cardigan and floral top is smiling brightly as she gives a high five to another woman across from her. Other group members are also smiling, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere. The setting appears to be a community center or group therapy session, with photos and decor in the background.

Just as laughter improves heart health by bringing in oxygen-rich air, your brain gets a boost here as well.

This benefit aids in cognitive functioning, but it also serves to reduce stress levels as your brain can think more clearly about a situation.

Laughter also increases energy levels, and this helps to improve focus.

These benefits are powerful on their own, but they also serve as an added stress-relieving benefit.

Then, as laughter prompts the release of those feel-good hormones we mentioned above, it can improve mood, reduce symptoms of depression, and lighten your mental load.

3- Emotional

A pair of hands gently holding three yellow paper circles with drawn facial expressions representing different emotions. One face is smiling, another is neutral, and the third is sad. The background is a light grey surface, emphasizing the simplicity and clarity of the emotional expressions. The image symbolizes emotional awareness or emotional intelligence.

Laughter serves as a means to stop negative emotions in their tracks.

In other words, “you can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad, when you’re laughing.”

And, while we mentioned this above, sometimes mental and emotional benefits can overlap, so it’s worth repeating that laughter can serve to increase feelings of happiness and improve your overall mood.

Then unfortunately, sometimes life gets heavy. It’s unavoidable, really. But, laughter can serve you well in the midst of such trials as it can help you cope with life’s stressors.

And overall, laughter inherently brings joy and happiness to life.

4- Social

A group of five young adults sitting close together on a couch, laughing and enjoying a moment while looking at a smartphone held by one of them. The mood is cheerful and lighthearted, with everyone smiling and leaning in to share the fun. One person holds a white coffee cup, and the group appears to be in a casual, friendly indoor setting with soft lighting and a relaxed atmosphere, emphasizing social connection and shared joy.

Did you know you are 30 times more likely to laugh in a group setting?

Did you know most people cite “a good sense of humor” when looking for a potential partner or friend?

By nature, humans are social creatures, and we benefit from being with others, from being a part of a community.

But, when we engage in laughter when connecting with others, that connection is strengthened.

This is due to the fact that humor and laughter serve to create bonds.

Don’t believe me? Invite a new friend for coffee and watch your bond increase as you find things to chuckle about as you chat over some tasty mochas.

Or, host a brunch with your neighbors and see how you connect when laughter erupts (sharing stories about the HOA, your kids, the commonalities between spousal roles, etc.).

A word of warning though, if you’re a laugh-er like me, go easy on the hot coffee. It’s not fun when that comes out of your nose. LOL!

Okay, in all seriousness, we all know coffee provides a great means for connection, but you can amplify this connection and sense of community when you make sure to share a few laughs as well.

Typically, we think of coffeehouses as quiet, library-esque, meeting places, but I’ve seen a growing trend where folks truly enjoy engaging conversation - complete with giggles, chuckles, and all out belly-laughter - over a tasty cup of joe…and I’m here for it!

5 Ways To Infuse More Laughter Into Your Life

So, now we’ve explored the science of laughter, and we’ve detailed how laughter can bring powerfully healthy benefits to your body and life, but before we close out our discussion, let’s look at a few practical ways to infuse a little more laughter into our lives.

1- Practice

A young woman with long dark hair smiles brightly while looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a yellow shirt and appears joyful and expressive, with a blurred light gray background behind her.

Did you know you can increase laughter in your life simply by practicing?

Yes, practice laughing.

Now, don’t laugh…or, do laugh, but not now…well, if you want to laugh now you can…but…

Okay, all we’re saying is that this suggestion isn’t a joke.

The notion of practicing laughing may seem a bit odd, but it’s proven to help!

Here, you simply focus on shifting your perspective to gain appreciation for funny things, situations, or events.

Obviously, practicing laughter is something you would primarily do when you’re alone, but there are even ways to do this in a group setting.

For instance, some practice laughing yoga (which you could do in a group or alone) where you use the muscles involved in breathing to simulate laughter, essentially forcing laughter to gain the same positive physical responses associated with natural laughter.

2- Take It In

A young woman with long wavy hair and glasses sits by a window, smiling softly as she reads a book. She is wearing a yellow t-shirt, and the setting appears calm and cozy with natural daylight illuminating the scene.

From books, articles, movies, songs, shows, and more, there are plenty of opportunities for laughter in this life.

Really, if you’re aiming to add a little humor to your days, all you may need is a short span of time and a little provided material.

My grandparents used to watch Hee Haw, my dad enjoyed Red Skelton, my generation preferred Adam Sandler and Chris Farley, and my kids routinely crack up at reels on social media. What about you?

The bottom line, whether it’s humorous home videos, funny song lyrics, hysterical sitcoms, or one-liners in your favorite book series, adding laughter to your life can be simple when you purposefully take in a few of these humorous entertainment opportunities.

3- Focus On The Funny

A group of four young adults sit closely together on a couch, laughing and reacting with excitement while looking at a laptop screen. The mood is joyful and energetic, suggesting they are watching something funny or entertaining. The background features a white brick wall and indoor plants, giving the scene a casual, cozy vibe.

If you find yourself struggling to find humor in things, especially in a stressful environment, bring a little humor with you.

If you have to, look up a funny site or joke online during your break, as this can help you crack a smile, engage in a releasing chuckle, and lift your spirits prior to tackling the rest of a stressful assignment.

You can even go old school here by clipping a few printed funnies, finding a humorous greeting card, or looking for other reminders of funny happenings. Then, post them within your workspace, on your desk, etc. allowing you to have an ongoing source of laughter.

4- Laughter Is Better With Friends

A group of five diverse young adults are standing outdoors, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. They are casually dressed and holding coffee cups, with one person holding a smartphone. The atmosphere is cheerful and friendly, and the background shows an urban street scene with trees and buildings.

We detailed the social benefits of laughter above, but this benefit is essentially two-fold.

Your connection to others is strengthened when you can laugh together. But, you also tend to laugh more when you’re with friends.

Why?

Because laughter is truly contagious. So, when you’re meeting for coffee or chatting with friends, it’s proven that you’ll laugh more than when you’re alone.

Sure, there’ll be plenty of times when you meet with friends for more serious discussions, but don’t discount getting together simply to laugh and enjoy one another’s company.

5- See The Funny, Be The Funny

A group of four young adults are laughing and having fun outdoors near a waterfront lined with palm trees. Two of them are playfully holding up a smiling young woman by her arms and legs, while another woman in a yellow top cheers them on. The mood is cheerful and carefree on a sunny day.

Laughter can seem difficult at times, and often this is due to the seriousness of life.

But, while there certainly are times when laughter is inappropriate, overall, could it be that we take life too seriously?

Mess ups happen, so it would benefit us all to learn to laugh through it.

Too often we make mountains out of mole hills, cry over spilled milk, and so on.

Instead, when these unavoidable mishaps in life take place, wouldn’t it be better to simply learn to laugh at ourselves?

We’ve all got enough heavy stuff going on in life, why not laugh at the light stuff, right?

In other words, look for the funny things in life.

And, let’s share ‘the funny’ as well.

Maybe this means sending a meme to a friend, maybe this involves telling a joke, or perhaps this simply consists of sharing the funny thing(s) your children did at dinner last night.

The point is - spread the laughter and engage in a little extra chuckling yourself by sharing humorous points with others.

So, keeping that in mind, I thought I’d close out with one of my favorite jokes.

I should warn you though, I find cheesiness ridiculously hilarious! Not gonna lie, I’m already snickering and grinning ear to ear just thinking about this one.

Soooo…

A frog walks into a bank. He approaches a teller at her window and says, “Ma’am, I need to take out a loan.”

The teller, confused by the talking frog, replies that she cannot give him a loan.

“But, Miss, you don’t understand, I’m Mick Jagger’s son. You just have to give me a loan.”

By now, the teller was simply not buying it, so she again refused his request.

Reading the teller’s name tag and reaching into his pocket, the frog pulled out a small figurine.

“Ms. Patty Whack, what if I gave you this figurine as collateral? Then would you give me a loan?”

At this point, the teller explains to the frog that she’ll need to speak to her manager.

Miss Whack then explains to her boss, “I’m not sure what to do here, there’s a frog in the lobby asking for a loan. He says his dad is Mick Jagger. He even gave me this figurine. I mean, what is this?”

The bank manager looks directly at the teller and replies - “It’s a knick knack, Patty Whack, give the frog a loan. His old man’s a Rolling Stone!”

Hahahaha! I love that one!

Seriously though friends, I hope you have and find multiple reasons to laugh each and every day, benefiting from and sharing with others the powerful, healthy rewards of laughter!

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.