Laughing: Good, Bad, and Fake

Laughter feels simple, but it can affect both the body and mind. It may come naturally from something funny, or we can sometimes start laughing on purpose.

Possible Benefits of Laughter

• Reduces stress and muscle tension
• Improves mood
• Changes breathing and briefly increases air intake
• Temporarily affects heart rate and circulation
• May temporarily ease pain
• Helps people connect and bond
• May help us cope with difficult situations

Possible Downsides

Laughing too hard can sometimes:

• Cause coughing or shortness of breath
• Trigger headaches or dizziness
• Cause urine leakage in some people
• Trigger asthma symptoms in some people
• Worsen pain after an injury or surgery
• Cause fainting in very rare cases
• Hurt others when laughter becomes mockery or happens at the wrong moment

What About Forced Laughter?

Fake or simulated laughter can share some benefits with genuine laughter. Research suggests that deliberately laughing may help with stress and mood, even when nothing funny started it.

• The physical act still changes breathing and engages muscles
• It may help reduce stress and improve mood
• In group settings, it may encourage social interaction
• A fake laugh can sometimes turn into a genuine one

But research does not show that fake and genuine laughter have exactly the same effects. Genuine laughter may also involve spontaneous emotion and social connection.

And choose your practice spot wisely. Laughing alone for no apparent reason in a silent elevator might make the other passengers wonder if you’re okay. 😁

The Limits

• Laughter does not cure disease or replace medical treatment
• It does not replace exercise, sleep, or good nutrition
• Not every claimed health benefit of laughter is strongly proven
• Forced laughter should not be used to avoid problems that need attention

Laughter can be good medicine for the day, but it is not the whole pharmacy.

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