The Amazing Health Benefits of Laughing Until Your Stomach Hurts — Even If It's "Forced Laughter"

1. "Laughter" can be more than just a mood changer; it can be a "body event"

Laughing heartily, or what we call "belly laughter," is not just an expression of emotion but a small "whole-body event" involving breathing, muscles, circulation, and nerves. Even in a short time, the tempo of inhaling and exhaling changes, the diaphragm moves significantly, and the muscles of the chest and abdomen contract repeatedly. Facial muscles also coordinate, and if you vocalize, resonance in the throat and chest is added.

This "movement" is crucial, and research has shifted its focus from the subjective "humor," which depends on whether something is funny, to the more measurable "physiological responses of laughter." In recent years, "laughter yoga" and group laughter sessions, which are accessible even to those who don't find jokes amusing, have become popular research subjects.The Independent+1

2. Is it true that "fake laughter is okay"?—The key is the order of "body first, mood later"

Many people might feel that "laughing when you're not having fun seems exhausting." However, the concept of laughter yoga is the opposite, where the idea is to initiate body movements (breathing and muscle activity) first, with mood changes following later.

In fact, the article introduces how "forced (fake) laughter" has been studied as "simulated mirth," and there is even discussion about its potential benefits compared to spontaneous laughter.The Independent
What's important here is that "fake laughter" is not "lying," but rather akin to **muscle training for laughter**. Just like doing push-ups can raise your heart rate and change your blood flow, leaving you feeling refreshed afterward, laughter can transition from "awkward" to natural as you go along—this is a sentiment shared by those in the field.The Independent+1

3. What happens to the heart and blood vessels: Laughter may work like "stretching the blood vessels"

A clear health benefit is seen in the circulatory system (heart and blood vessels). Cardiovascular specialists featured in the article use a metaphor similar to recommending exercise frequency, suggesting "belly laughter several times a week."The Independent

The background to this involves the endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels) and the substances released from it. Academic reviews explain the hypothesis that laughter can affect vascular function, linking it to endothelial responses known from exercise (e.g., nitric oxide).PMC

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to work in the direction of dilating blood vessels, and its potential relation to blood pressure, inflammation, and blood flow is discussed. However, this is also a point prone to misunderstanding.Rather than definitively stating "laughing immediately lowers blood pressure" or "cures heart disease,"many studies are at the stage of observing short-term physiological responses and related indicators (blood flow, vascular response, stress indicators, etc.). While avoiding excessive expectations, understanding that responses similar to exercise may occur is a safe approach.PMC+1

4. Stress and hormones: Laughter makes it easier to switch off the "tension switch"

The idea that laughter helps with stress is intuitively easy to understand. Indeed, explanations from medical institutions summarize the potential for laughter to ease stress responses, lift mood, and aid interpersonal relationships.Mayo Clinic+1

The key here is not to "eliminate stress with willpower," but to switch it at the level of bodily responses. Deep exhalation, moving facial muscles, vocalizing, and relaxing shoulder tension—when these elements combine, it becomes easier to shift from a tense state (sympathetic dominance) to recovery mode (parasympathetic dominance). Even if you're busy moving during laughter, the deep relaxation that follows might be a sensation of this switch.

Additionally, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of laughter intervention studies have explored the potential association of "laughter-inducing interventions" with improvements in symptoms and psychological indicators in patient groups (with various study designs and subjects).PubMed
This positions laughter not as "just a distraction," but as having the potential to be used as an "adjunct" in medical and care settings.

5. Effects on pain: The reason why "the body feels lighter after laughing"

Many people have experienced feeling lighter or having pain alleviated after a deep belly laugh. General explanations from medical institutions also mention the potential for laughter to promote the production of the body's "natural painkillers" and ease pain.Mayo Clinic

The article also discusses how laughter may be involved in the production of endorphins in the brain, likening it to "taking painkillers."The Independent
Of course, pain is an important sign that should be properly diagnosed, and laughter doesn't eliminate the need for fundamental treatment. However, chronic pain can be amplified by not just "the pain itself," but also anxiety, tension, isolation, and lack of sleep. This realistic perspective, where laughter can find its place, is why laughter interventions are gaining attention.PubMed

6. Immunity: Don't expect too much, but it might not be "zero"

Regarding immunity, it has long been said that "laughter boosts immunity." The article touches on the history of research exploring the relationship between laughter (or amusing stimuli) and the immune system, such as changes in immune-related cells in the blood.The Independent
On the other hand, immunity fluctuates due to multiple factors such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, chronic conditions, age, and stress. Laughter is just one element among these, and even if it has an effect, it's realistic to think of it as a "small, cumulative type."

Explanations from medical institutions also suggest the possibility that laughter may have an indirect positive impact on immunity by reducing stress responses, while avoiding definitive statements.Mayo Clinic+1
Here, rather than stories like "laugh and you won't catch a cold," it's more appropriate to view it as **"one of the actions that can enhance resilience in life."**

7. Why do "Laughter Yoga" and "Laughter Clubs" continue?—The "habit-forming mechanism" originating in India in the 1990s

Laughter Yoga is known as an activity started by Dr. Madan Kataria and others in Mumbai, India, in 1995, initially spreading from laughter clubs in parks.The Independent+1
The feature is not to exchange jokes, but to **"activate laughter" through breathing, movement, and playfulness.** The position of laughter shifts from being the "result of a funny event" to "a practice for health."

There are three reasons why this format is strong.

1. Anyone can participate
   It easily transcends preferences for humor, cultural differences, and language barriers.

2. Easy to measure
   Session duration (30-45 minutes, etc.), laughing time, heart rate, breathing, etc., can easily be shaped into research.The Independent

3. Group effect
   Laughter is contagious and more likely to occur with others than alone, making it easier to continue.

8. So how do you actually increase "laughter"?—Seven ways to continue without forcing

"I understand that laughing is good for health, but I can't laugh that hard every day."
Here's where the real work begins. The trick is to focus on increasing the "number of times you laugh" rather than the "reason to laugh."

Method 1: Do "Ha Ha Ha" for just one minute (it's okay to start quietly)

One of the basic forms introduced in the article is the practice of continuing to say "ha" while facing each other.The Independent
If you're doing it alone, you can use a mirror or your smartphone's front camera. It's fine to start monotonously. The important thing is for your breathing to take the "form of laughter."

Method 2: Set "inhale and laugh while exhaling" as a routine

Deep breath → hold for a few seconds → laugh while exhaling is a flow that easily switches breathing. A similar procedure is explained in the article.The Independent

Method 3: "Save" laughable content

It's hard to continue if you search on the spot. Keep a stock of 3 to 5 short skits, animal videos, or clips of your favorite variety shows that hit your funny bone; they work especially well on tired days.

Method 4: Secure time to talk to people with "laughter in mind"

Laughter is also a social phenomenon. Schedule "places where you can laugh," such as chats, online calls, or lunch with colleagues, in advance.

Method 5: Deliberately engage in "silly play"

Laughter yoga incorporates "deliberately strange movements" to break down the wall of embarrassment.The Independent+1##HTML_TAG