Laughter therapy: laughter contributes to a longer life.

It has long been known that laughter can be the best medicine. Brazilian researchers conducted a study to determine whether laughter therapy could improve cardiovascular symptoms and be beneficial for health. It turns out that laughter can indeed alleviate symptoms of heart disease.

Humor Extends Life

The study involved 26 adults, with an average age of 64, all diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. Half of the participants watched comedy shows weekly for three months, while the others viewed serious documentaries.

In the “humorous” group, researchers observed a 10% improvement in the amount of oxygen their hearts could pump throughout their bodies. Additionally, these participants showed enhanced arterial flexibility. There was also a significant reduction in inflammatory biomarkers, which indicate the buildup of plaques in blood vessels and the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Laughter is Good for the Heart

As noted by the Daily Mail, the lead author of the study, Professor Marco Saffi, stated that they found laughter therapy could help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, he believes it would be beneficial to implement this therapy in healthcare facilities for patients at risk of heart problems.

Experts suggest that laughter can benefit the heart because it promotes the release of endorphins, which reduce inflammation and help the heart and blood vessels relax. Moreover, laughter lowers levels of stress hormones that put strain on the heart.