Laughter has the power to heal.  After researching this phenomenon, I found that an amazing amount of significant research has been done on this topic.  There is abundant evidence of the powerful effects of laughing with regard to our health.  In fact, so much has been written about the therapeutic benefits that I can only scratch the surface of this subject.  

While I was reading various articles, I kept running into the name Norman Cousins, who wrote a book entitled, Anatomy of an Illness.  Laughter was a tool he used to help him heal from a debilitating autoimmune disease that caused pain and destruction of his joints.  He discovered that after ten minutes of laughter he could get 2 hours of pain free sleep.  It also helped to fight his heart disease (in conjunction with mega doses of Vitamin C).  He was able to cure himself with the aid of humor.

 Dr. Hunter Campbell, the inspiration for the 1998 movie, “Patch Adams” took laugh therapy to another level by opening a free, home-based, health care facility. Thousands of patients, in the space of 12 years, received care in which humor was a significant factor in their treatment.

Laughter is a potent antidote to the negative influences of modern life!  I have always believed this to be true.  Now, I have found some documented proof.  

In addition to reduction of pain, the benefits of laughter include: improvement of metabolism, lessening of anxiety, positive immune and cardiovascular system effects, lowering of blood sugar levels among people with type II diabetes, increase of endorphins, increase in the levels of circulating antibodies, enhancement of oxygen intake, balance of blood pressure, easing of digestion and improvement of mental functions (ie. alertness, memory, creativity).

The other things I learned during my research involved examples and methods for bringing levity into your life.  Some suggestions were watching funny movies, (we all have our favorites), playing with children, watching videos of babies laughing, having slumber parties, (even as adults), reading joke books and sharing funny stories.  David Simon, M.D., co-founder of the Chopra Center for Well-Being after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, asked people to post their favorite jokes and funny stories. The collection was posted online.  

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Dr. Katherine Puckett, Chief of the Division of Mind-Body Medicine at CTCA, upon the request of a patient, introduced laughter therapy, also known as Laughter Clubs.  The focus is on laughter as physical exercise, including fake laughter and laughter greetings.  Similarly, the American Cancer Society lists humor or laughter therapy on their website.

Madan and Madhuri Kataria started a small laughter club in Mumbai, India.  It has become a worldwide movement, Laughter Yoga International, which includes laughter clubs and the Laughter Yoga Technique which also has team-building workshops.  Yoga studios are even starting to offer “laughter yoga” classes.

Surely, this is good news for all of us.  Whether or not one believes in the healing power of laughter, the evidence is pretty well documented.  In my limited research, I have only begun to find all the positive evidence of this wonderful therapy.  There is nothing to lose, by doing this. It’s free, fun, and has no adverse side effects.  One could even say that this is no joking matter. Ha, ha, ha!