Physical Effects Of Humor

The direct physical effects of humor can be traced to the effects which are produced by laughter. Norman Cousins (1979) wrote a book about his experience of recovering from a serious medical condition, a painful and debilitating disease, through the use of a self-designed regimen which included frequently watching humorous television shows and laughing heartily. This anecdotal account of humor in relation to physical health set off a renewed interest in the probable health benefits of humor and laughter.

Literature has shown that humor improves the functions of immune system, reduces stress-related hormone levels, and reduces muscle tension (Bennett and Lengacher, 2009). It also facilitates coping with physical discomfort by elevating the threshold for physical discomfort (Zillman, Rockwell, Schweitzer and Sundar, 1993). Individuals with a strong sense of humor experience less impairment in immune functioning following stress, and, therefore, would be less prone to infectious illnesses under those conditions (Martin and Dobbin, 1988). Humor has also been found to show improvements in pain thresholds (Mahony, Burroughs and Hieatt, 2001). Laughter has been referred to as a healthy way to reduce stress, provides a sense of control, and helps the body relax (McGhee, 1998).

Berk, Felten, Tan, Bittman and Westengard (2001)

It reduces stress hormones and boosts the immune system. It also reduces blood pressure by increasing vascular blood flow, and can provide effects similar to that produced by an aerobic workout. According to the researcher, humor can be a powerful medicine in dealing with various health issues. According to Franz Ingelfinger, the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine (1980), 85% of all human illnesses can be cured by the body’s own healing system, and humor plays a very important role in