by maria |
Last Updated: December 4, 2020 
The heart experiences a higher frequency, better blood flow and thus greater oxygen transport. This benefits the whole cycle. The blood pressure drops and normalizes, as has been proven by a long-term study.
The lungs show better breathing, more CO2 (carbon dioxide) is transported away, the moisture content drops and bacterial colonization and the risk of infection in the lungs are significantly reduced.
Even just hearing laughter improves the mood
One of Provine’s earliest experiments proved that just listening to recorded laughing could evoke fits of giggles in subjects (which is why television studios use laugh tracks on sitcoms). In fact, according to his research, you’re 30 times more likely to laugh when someone else is around than when you’re by yourself.
Laughing to strengthen the immune system
Laughing increases the immune system’s defenses. The vitality of the blood cells (NK cells) increases, the immune functions improve in general (increase of the messenger substance gamma interferon, which is important for the immune defense). The body’s own defense cells – supported by the simultaneous release of hormones – inhibit inflammation, attack cancer cells, bacteria and viruses.
A calming effect? When you laugh, many muscles tense (face, neck, respiratory muscles, diaphragm, and abdominal muscles) while others relax. Laughter can cause blood pressure to drop and the bronchi to open. Prolonged laughter spreads like waves through the entire body and releases muscle tension.
Laughter stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (antagonist of the sympathetic nervous system, which drastically increases the adrenaline level when stressed). Laughing has a relaxing effect, promotes digestion and sleep.
Laughing against stress
The effect of laughter is paradoxical: laughter initially triggers the stress reaction itself. The heart rate increases for a short time, the blood pressure rises accordingly, so that one can speak of a shock effect. After a few minutes, however, a sustained relaxation phase sets in: the heartbeat slows down and remains at a low level. In the process, the muscles of the arteries relax, so that the vessel volume increases: This reduces blood pressure over the long term.
Laughter works against pain
The skeletal muscles are also initially tensed when laughing in order to gradually relax permanently. Last but not least, this is important for pain management, as much pain is associated with sustained muscle tension. It is also assumed that laughter also reduces sensitivity to pain. Paul McGhee, a pioneer of laughter research, found that the pain threshold moves up when the test subjects watch a funny video.
Mental stimulation
How does laughter affect our soul life? The nerve cells communicate with each other using molecules called neurotransmitters. Many neurological diseases originate from a malfunction of these intermediaries. For example, low serotonin levels trigger depression. Other neurotransmitters (endorphins) are natural pain relievers.
Another (adrenaline) enables the body to react quickly under stress, which allows a quick escape. Laughing undoubtedly has an effect on the release of these substances: it stimulates, regulates and modulates the usual neurochemical mechanisms. Frequent laughter also has positive effects from a psychological point of view: People who laugh a lot experience themselves as strong and competent and fearful do not face social conflict. Laughter works as an antidepressant.
Muscle training without exertion
A prolonged laugh spreads like waves through the entire musculature. It works like jogging.
Laughing for 20 seconds is roughly equivalent to the physical performance of three minutes of fast rowing.