Welcome back to Get Fit Guy. This is your host, Kevin Donne. The expression is laughter

the best medicine has been a popular one for millennia. In fact, it suggested that its origin is in the Bible.

In Proverbs 1722, it says,

A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a broken spirit dryeth the bones.

So, is it true that humor and laughter possess healing properties?

This episode will delve into the health benefits of smiling and laughter, supported by

some evidence, scientific research and studies, whilst also considering the detrimental

impacts of a negative outlook on life.

By examining the physiological, psychological and social effects, I hope to shine some light on how positive

emotions may contribute to overall well-being. Smiling and laughter actually trigger a cascade of

physiological responses that contribute to improved health. One of the primary benefits is the

reduction of stress. Laughter leads to the release of endorph the primary benefits is the reduction of stress.

Laughter leads to the release of endorphins, which are the natural feel-good chemicals in the

body, and these endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily

relieve pain. Moreover, laughter also decreases the levels of cortisol and epinephrine, which are hormones

associated with stress. A 1989 study by Burke et al demonstrated that laughter reduced blood

serum levels of cortisol, dopamine and growth hormone, all of which are elevated during times

of stress. Laughter can also enhance cardiovascular health. It improves the function of blood vessels

and increases blood flow, which helps to protect against heart attacks and other cardiovascular

problems. A 2009 study, Miller and Fry, found that

laughter causes the endothelium, which is the inner lining of the blood vessels to dilate,

increasing blood flow by an average of 22%. This vasodilation is comparable to that achieved through

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