Amid growing concerns over social tension and instability in South Korea, the mental health of the public has increasingly come under threat. Unexpected incidents and accidents have intensified conflict and deepened polarization. There are growing concerns that this may lead to severe social anxiety and even collective panic.
Experts stress the importance of recognizing and managing our emotions. They recommend a 3-4 month course of laughter therapy not just for the general public, but also for those battling serious illnesses like cancer. Even forcing yourself to laugh regularly can boost both physical and mental well-being.
According to the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH), laughter therapy is a form of communication that uses everyday experiences and expressions to provoke laughter, smiles, and feelings of joy while facilitating interaction. It can serve as a complementary method alongside fundamental treatments such as surgery, medication, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Laughter has been used in medicine since the beginning of recorded history. One well-known case is that of American journalist Norman Cousins, who suffered from ankylosing spondylitis. After watching comedy programs, he experienced noticeable pain relief—he reportedly had no pain for two hours after laughing for just 15 minutes.
Since then, medical research on laughter has exploded. German psychotherapist Michael Titze pointed out that laughter reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, boosts circulation, and stabilizes the immune and digestive systems. He emphasized that laughing releases pain-relieving hormones.
There are different types of laughter. Passive humor comes from watching funny movies or reading comedic books. Spontaneous or unplanned humor is about finding laughter in everyday life. For cancer patients, discovering humor in daily situations can be particularly beneficial.
In short, laughter therapy can help relieve pain for patients with serious illnesses like cancer, manage stress for the general public, regulate emotions such as anger and depression, improve doctor-patient relationships, and enhance communication. Its range of applications continues to grow.
Laughter is said to be an immune-boosting, cost-free form of chemotherapy. A research team at Osaka Medical University in Japan found that laughter therapy increases the number of NK (natural killer) cells that attack cancer cells. Similarly, a Harvard Medical School research team in the U.S. revealed that laughing for just one to five minutes can boost NK cell levels for five to six hours.
These cells are primarily increased by endorphins, neurotransmitters released when laughing out loud. Endorphins are natural painkillers in the body, stronger than morphine, a narcotic analgesic. Even forced laughter can trigger endorphin release and reduce pain. It can also lower the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream.
Furthermore, laughter relaxes blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and promotes circulation. It increases breathing and oxygen utilization. Some studies have reported benefits such as improved allergies, better blood sugar control, and effects similar to exercise. Recently, a study even found that laughter was as effective as artificial tears in alleviating symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
Laughter therapy is considered safe when used alongside standard medical treatments. However, it’s important to consider the patient’s values and cultural background. Some patients may not accept it, and using laughter that demeans others should be avoided.
Laughter therapy is complementary, not a substitute for conventional medical treatments. It must be integrated into a doctor’s treatment plan. Avoiding or delaying standard treatment could lead to serious consequences. If excessive shortness of breath occurs while laughing, the session should be stopped immediately, and a doctor should be consulted.
