The Scientific Reason Why Laughter Is Actually the Best Medicine.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “laughter is the best medicine,” but did you know it’s actually true?
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Here are five science-backed ways laughing has a positive effect on your well-being.
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Laughing with other people releases endorphins in your brain called opioid receptors, which create a feeling of euphoria.
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Matt Bellace says the “natural high” you get from laughing is far “superior” to a drug-induced one.
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Both men and women view a sense of humor as one of the most attractive traits in a potential mate.
Couples that laugh together have also been found to have a higher-quality relationship.
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Laughter can improve your heart’s vascular function and circulation, which in turn lowers your risk of a heart attack.
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In addition, the endorphins released by laughing can lower your blood pressure, which reduces anxiety and takes tension off of your heart.
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Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes has been found to burn between 10 and 40 calories.
Laughter also reduces cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone that causes fat to be stored around your belly.
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Laughter can cause the brain's cerebral cortex to release electrical impulses, which block the passage of negative thoughts.
According to Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist from the University of Wisconsin, laughing can help promote a “positive, optimistic outlook.”