You’ve probably heard the phrase, “laughter is the best medicine,” but did you know it’s actually true? <br />Here are five science-backed ways laughing<br />has a positive effect on your well-being. <br />1. Laughing with other people releases endorphins in your brain called opioid receptors, which create a feeling of euphoria.<br />Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Matt Bellace says the “natural high” you get from laughing is far “superior” to a drug-induced one.<br />2. Both men and women view a sense of humor as one of the most attractive traits in a potential mate.<br />Couples that laugh together have also been found<br />to have a higher-quality relationship.<br />3. Laughter can improve your heart’s vascular function and circulation, which in turn lowers your risk of a heart attack. <br />In addition, the endorphins released by laughing can lower your blood pressure, which reduces anxiety and takes tension off of your heart.<br />4. Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes has been <br />found to burn between 10 and 40 calories.<br />Laughter also reduces cortisol levels,<br />which is a stress hormone that causes<br />fat to be stored around your belly. <br />5. Laughter can cause the brain's cerebral cortex to release electrical impulses, which block the passage of negative thoughts.<br />According to Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist from the University of Wisconsin, laughing can help promote a “positive, optimistic outlook.”
