Khaberni - Increasing research has revealed that laughter is not just a mood improver, but it provides an "internal massage" for the intestines which enhances digestion and relieves gas, and it might be more effective than some medications in treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
It is already known that laughter boosts the immune system, reduces stress levels, and strengthens abdominal muscles. Moreover, laughing for ten minutes a day can burn up to 50 calories.
And now, experts say laughter may carry similar benefits for gut health.
Adrian Benjamin, a gut health nutritionist at "Proven Probiotics," says that laughter is not just an emotional response, but it triggers real physical responses in the body. When we laugh, the abdominal muscles contract and relax, which helps stimulate digestive activity. Additionally, laughter enhances relaxation and releases endorphins, natural substances that help alleviate pain.
Benjamin likens the effect of laughter on the intestines to a "gentle internal massage" that supports peristaltic movement of the intestines and encourages the movement of food through the digestive system, and even aids in expelling trapped gas.
Research supports these claims, as prior studies have found that laughter reduced gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome more effectively than some medications.
A study conducted in 2022 also revealed that laughing with family and friends was associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of functional dyspepsia, a chronic disorder that causes persistent indigestion.
But it's not just the physical effect of laughter that helps the digestive system, there's another factor equally important. Benjamin explains that stress is a major factor that negatively affects gut health, disrupting the digestion process, altering intestinal motility, and affecting the balance of beneficial bacteria within. In today's fast-paced world, laughter offers a natural and simple way to counter these effects.
When we laugh, the body shifts into a more relaxed state, which helps reduce stress hormones like cortisol, and supports a digestive system that functions better when the person is calm and relaxed.
Laughter helps regulate the body's response to stress and encourages a shift from the "fight or flight" state (a state of stress and readiness for danger) to the "rest and digest" state (the state in which the intestines can operate optimally).
Benjamin adds that even short moments of humor can break extended cycles of stress, providing a chance to reset both psychological and physical states, which benefits both the mind and the digestive system alike.
