Laughter Improving Health - Watch WebMD Video

Skip to content

Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Find us on:

WebMD Home

WebMD video

Channel: Emotional Health

Now Playing: Laughter Heals

Close

Laughter Heals

Reviewed By: Louise Chang,

Credits: Miller, M. "Divergent Effects of Laughter and Mental Stress on Endothelial Function: Potential Impact of Entertainment," presented at the Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, , Orlando, Fla., March 6-9 2005. News release, University of Maryland School of Medicine. WebMD Medical News: "Laughter May Build Healthy Blood Vessles." Diabetes Care, May 2003. WebMD Medical News: "Rx for Diabetes: Laughter." Fry, W. F. The Biology of Humor, Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 1994; vol 7: pp 111-126. RA, M. Humor, Laughter, and Physical Health: Methodological Issues and Research Findings. Psychological Bulletin. July 2001; vol 127: pp 504-519.

© 2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.

For a better viewing experience you may wish to adjust the size and quality of your video stream:

High
Medium
Low

Apply

||

00:00/00:00

mute

CC light band

about this video send to a friend

rate this video

(Laughter…)

Narrator:

Mark Twain once quipped, "he who laughs…lasts." The American humorist would probably chuckle if he knew about the growing body of scientific evidence that adds weight to his words of levity.

Cheryl Lattimore:

I feel like I've got a burst of energy (laughs)…you're going to get a heart after all. And you, you're going to get a brain…

Narrator:

Research shows laughter can improve your health: It helps reduce stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenalin, and pumps up immune system activity by increasing interferon, T cells and white blood cells. A hearty guffaw or belly laugh can also boost heart rate, improves blood flow, and stabilizes blood pressure.

Jamie Moore:

I very rarely get sick. And when I do get sick it's for very short periods of time.

Narrator:

In study after study, findings on this most cherished of human traits are giving us all something to smile about: Diabetic patients saw their blood sugar levels rise less after eating a meal at a comedy show; laughing improves digestion and speeds up respiration and blood circulation; in fact, laughing 100 or more times a day may have the same health benefits as 10 minutes of aerobic exercise! Not feeling funny? Well, don't get uptight; it may be that laughter doesn't have to be genuine to be effective: Zoe Haugo is a Laugh Group leader who routinely uses fake laughter to bring on the real thing…

Zoe Haugo:

There are a lot more smiles on people's faces and just people are loose and limbered up and they're connecting with each other more.

Narrator:

Psychologists agree. While research continues on the role of laughter in easing depression, many therapists have begun incorporating humor into their counseling sessions.

Edward Z. Rosenzweig, PhD:

To me in some ways it's a marker for improvement. Someone can acknowledge a funny moment and laugh with me.

Marjorie Blum, PhD:

It helps us develop a synchrony. I lean in they lean in a bit. There's a report that gets built.

Narrator:

Data on the medical benefits of humor continues to mount. But while it does, why not laugh it up? For WebMD, I'm Damon Meharg

My Playlist: (empty)

1 - 3 of

Related Articles

Check Symptoms Now!

Search Videos

Living a Healthy Lifestyle.

Tips on things you can do every day to live life at its healthiest.

Browse by Topic Most Viewed Explore More Videos Search Results

WebMD’s Weekly Top Viewed Videos

Back Pain Test

Exercise for Better Sex

Vinegar for Diabetes

Drink Your Way To Weight Loss

Pre-Diabetes

Gallbladder Basics

Weight Loss Secret Weapon

IBS Trigger Foods

Does Porn Hurt a Relationship?

Male Orgasms: How They Change

Cholesterol-Busting Exercise

What's Your Sleep Personality?

Herpes Vaccine Study

Truth about Passing Gas

Are You Using a Condom Correctly?

Snoring Cure

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Diarrhea Causes and Treatments

Acupuncture for Back Pain

Common Constipation Treatments

Dirty Truth About Hand Washing

4-D Ultrasound

ED Exercise

Sex Advice for Single Women

Cholesterol Guidelines

Diagnosing Yeast Infections

Truth About Coffee

Healing Heel Pain

Snacks for Diabetics

Best Butt Exercises

Pregnancy and Vitamin D

Best Back Exercises

Minority Skin Problems

Love Scents

Vaporizing the Signs of HPV

Soy for High Blood Pressure

What is Fecal Incontinence?

Sudden Neck Pain

Identifying Early Knee Osteoarthritis

Cardio or Weights?

Stress and Digestive Problems

What is IBS?

When Dizzy Equals Danger

What Is Normal Vaginal Discharge?

Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

Battling Bladder Infections

Diagnosing Back Pain

Foods That Trigger Migraines

Truth About Shampoo and Conditioner

Vitamin D Deficiency

1 - 10 of 50

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Featured Videos

Staff Picks

Explore More Videos

Ask the Pharmacist

Allergy TV

How to Prepare Veggies

Pets Community TV

Ask the Dentist

America Asks WebMD

Healthy Skin TV

Ask the Dermatologist

Healthy Aging TV

Rheumatoid Arthritis TV

1 - 10 of 10

Search Results for: "search term" ( videos found)

Search Videos

To perform a video search, please enter a term in the search box located to the right of the video player above.

of

Transcript Print this transcript

Not Available.

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Injectable RA Treatment

Hearing Aid Not Enough?

Joint Pain Help Center

Musculoskeletal Pain

Treating Depression

In-depth coverage:

Is Your Psoriasis Treatment on Target?|Your Guide to a Healthy Mouth|Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Check| Teen Girls and Puberty|Diabetes and Your Body

Find us on:

URAC: Accredited Health Web Site Reviewed by Trust-E site privacy statement HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation

About WebMD|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy|Sponsor Policy|Site Map|Careers| Contact Us

Advertise With Us|WebMD Corporate|Medscape Reference|eMedicineHealth|RxList|Medscape|MedicineNet|BootsWebMD

First Aid|WebMD the Magazine|WebMD Health Record|WebMD Mobile|Newsletters

©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.