Laughing is a part of our life every day but most often than not we may forget its true value. As people celebrated World Laughter Day on May 4, mid-day spoke to health experts, who highlight the benefits of the activity
People celebrated World Laughter Day 2025 on May 4. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Earlier this month, people around the world observed World Laughter Day on May 4. While laughing is a natural activity, many may often take it for granted. Finding those short moments of joy do a lot of good to our body not only physically but also mentally, say Mumbai health experts.
Dr Ajit Dandekar, head – psychiatry & mental health, at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Vile Parle West, says, “Genuine laughter works like a whole body exercise, setting off a chain reaction in the body; causing drop in stress chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline, exercising the heart and blood vessels, helping them relax more efficiently, expanding the lung capacity and releasing endorphins which in many cases, act as mild, natural pain killers. Individuals who laugh frequently are more likely to have better immune activity, steadier blood pressure and easier breathing.”
With laughter the need of the hour, mid-day spoke to Dandekar and By Dr Shaunak Ajinkya, consultant psychiatrist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West to break down the benefits of laughter. They not only highlight how laughing improves physical and mental health, but also how it helps different age groups, genders and people with mental health challenges.
What are the physical and mental benefits of laughing?
Dandekar: Mentally, laughter is a great mood lifter that relieves anxious and depressive thoughts. Laughing with family and friends also strengthens social bonds, which are key to any individual’s emotional resilience.
Ajinkya: The physical benefits of laughter triggers a cascade of positive physiological changes. It initially increases heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen consumption, followed by a state of relaxation. This process can lead to:
Stress reduction: Laughter lowers the levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can have detrimental long-term effects on the body.
Muscle relaxation: A good laugh can relax muscles throughout the body for up to 45 minutes afterward, easing tension.
Immune system boost: Laughter is associated with an increase in immune cells and antibodies, potentially strengthening the body's resistance to illness. It may also increase levels of immunoglobulins A and E and natural killer cell activity.
Pain relief: The release of endorphins during laughter acts as natural painkillers, potentially increasing pain tolerance.
Cardiovascular health improvement: Laughter can increase blood flow and improve the function of blood vessels, which may protect against heart disease. It can also lead to a temporary increase in heart rate, providing a mild cardiovascular workout.
Increased energy: By increasing oxygen intake and circulation, laughter can contribute to increased energy levels.
Calorie burning: While not a substitute for exercise, some studies suggest that 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn a modest number of calories.
Are there any studies known to prove it? If yes, please state them.
Dandekar: Yes. There are several studies which prove the physical and mental benefits of laughter. Researchers like Lee Berk showed drops in stress hormones and rises in antibody levels during comedy sessions. A large 2019 meta-analysis that pooled more than fifty controlled trials concluded that laughter-based therapies reliably reduce stress and modestly improve overall well-being.
Clinical experiments have also found that a seven-week humour skills course eased symptoms in people living with depression and anxiety, while comedy film afternoons on hospital wards improved mood and social interaction among patients with schizophrenia. Cardiologists at the University of Maryland, meanwhile, demonstrated that laughter temporarily widens blood vessels, supporting healthier circulation.
While people laugh every day as it is a natural reaction, do people with mental health challenges find it difficult?
Dandekar: Laughter doesn’t come as easily to individuals with existing mental health problems. Severe depression can blunt the feeling of amusement, while long term schizophrenia may flatten facial expression and reduce spontaneous laughter. That said, research shows these same groups can still laugh—and feel better—when humour is introduced in a structured way. Guided laughter yoga, stand up workshops or simply watching a funny film together have all been shown to spark genuine mirth, lighten mood and help individuals reconnect with others.
Ajinkya: While laughter is a natural human reaction, individuals with mental health challenges may find it difficult to experience or express genuine laughter.
Conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and trauma can significantly impact emotional responsiveness and the ability to feel joy or find things amusing.
1. Anhedonia: Depression, in particular, is often characterized by anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure. This can make it very challenging for individuals to find humour in situations or to feel the positive emotions associated with laughter.
2. Emotional blunting: Some mental health conditions and certain medications can lead to emotional blunting, where individuals experience a reduced intensity of emotions, including joy and amusement.
3. Social withdrawal: Anxiety and social phobias can lead to social withdrawal, reducing opportunities for shared laughter, which often occurs in social contexts.
4. Negative thought patterns: Persistent negative thoughts and rumination can overshadow any potential for humour or light-heartedness.
5. Trauma: Individuals who have experienced trauma may have difficulty feeling safe enough to let go and enjoy a moment of laughter, as they may be in a state of hypervigilance.
It is important to recognise that the absence of laughter in someone with mental health challenges is not a sign of negativity but rather a potential symptom of their condition. Creating a supportive and understanding environment, and addressing the underlying mental health issues, can gradually help individuals regain their capacity for joy and laughter.
Does laughing help different age groups and genders differently?
Dandekar: While the benefits of laughter are universal, some age groups may experience greater pay offs. Older adults, when laughed often, are known to report better camaraderie with the family and sharper drops in loneliness, steadier blood pressure and more positive outlook towards personal health. However, there are no differences when it comes to gender, men and women experienced broadly similar improvements in stress and mood.
Ajinkya: Laughter offers benefits across all age groups, although the specific ways it manifests and is experienced may vary:
Children: Children naturally laugh much more frequently than adults. For them, laughter is often linked to play, social interaction, and learning. It helps in developing social skills, reducing stress in childhood, and fostering peer interaction.
Adolescents: Laughter plays a crucial role in social bonding, establishing peer relationships, and navigating the emotional challenges of adolescence. Humour can be a coping mechanism for stress and a way to express identity.
Adults: In adulthood, laughter continues to be important for stress reduction, maintaining relationships, and overall well-being. It can help in coping with the pressures of work, family, and daily life.
Older adults: For seniors, laughter can be particularly beneficial in boosting the immune system, decreasing stress, improving heart health, relieving pain, and supporting mental health by reducing anxiety and depression. It also enhances social connections and combats loneliness, which can be significant issues in older age.
Gender differences:
Who laughs more: Research suggests that women tend to laugh more than men, particularly in social settings and in response to others. Women talking to women generate the most laughter.
Who elicits laughter: Men are often found to elicit more laughter from others, perhaps through joke-telling or taking on the role of the "class clown" from a young age.
Humour preference: Some studies indicate that men may favour more active or hostile humour, while women may prefer self-deprecating humour and funny stories. However, humour appreciation scores are generally similar between genders.
Neurochemical differences: Brain imaging studies suggest that women's brains may show more activity in language processing and reward centres when laughing compared to men. This could indicate a greater openness and pleasure in receiving humour.
Relationship dynamics: Humour plays a vital role in romantic relationships, with both men and women valuing a partner with a good sense of humour. Women often appreciate a partner who makes them laugh, while men appreciate a partner who laughs at their jokes. The style of humour used during stressful times can also impact relationship outcomes differently for men and women.
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