Researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada and Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital in Brazil collaborated to explore how laughter influences health, revealing that the simple act of laughing can lower stress levels and support heart health. The study findings were published in PLOS One, a respected open-access journal that compiles investigations across the life sciences.
To understand laughter’s impact on well-being, the researchers synthesized data from a series of prior investigations. The new analysis draws on four randomized controlled trials, where participants were randomly assigned to receive a behavioral intervention or to a control condition, along with four quasi-experimental studies that did not employ full randomization. This combination helps balance rigorous measurement with real-world relevance and provides a broader view of how laughter interacts with biological and psychological processes.
The results show that laughter lowers cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that participates in the body’s stress response. Lower cortisol levels can ease physical strain by moderating cardiovascular pressure, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and overall energy balance. While short-term stress responses can be adaptive, chronic or excessive stress undermines cognitive performance and emotional resilience. The emerging evidence indicates that even brief episodes of laughter can yield measurable mood benefits, reducing tension and boosting subjective well-being for many people.
Beyond mood improvements, laughter appears to offer direct benefits for heart health. The data suggest a cardioprotective effect, likely driven by reductions in systemic inflammation and by relaxation of blood vessels and heart muscle. These physiological changes may help lower the risk of coronary events and contribute to better long-term cardiovascular fitness. The body’s response to laughter seems to involve a complex interplay of neuroendocrine and anti-inflammatory pathways that promote a more balanced cardiovascular state after spontaneous or social laughter.
Taken together, these findings align with a broader view of laughter as a simple behavior with meaningful health implications. While researchers continue to investigate the precise mechanisms linking humor, stress hormones, and heart health, the current evidence supports the idea that laughter is a valuable, approachable tool for enhancing well-being and resilience in daily life. Future studies will help clarify how factors like laughter duration, social context, and individual differences influence the magnitude of these health effects, but the existing results already point to practical benefits for people seeking nonpharmacological ways to improve stress management and cardiovascular health.