Science Confirms Laughter Really is the Best Medicine

It increases "happiness chemicals" like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.

Laughter is the best medicine may be true, but new research suggests it’s also a vital catalyst for children’s development.

Laughter activates broad brain networks, including motor regions and the prefrontal cortex, long before children learn to speak. By helping the brain resolve conflicting ideas, it boosts creativity and engages working memory, acting as a “mental workout.” At a molecular level, laughter alters the internal chemistry by decreasing stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. It also increases “happiness chemicals” like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. Laughter is also known to boost oxytocin, which deepens emotional bonds between parents and children.