Laughter positively affects the cardiovascular system and various organs and systems in the body, helps with memory retention, and extends life. Professor Olga Takatchova, a specialist in geriatrics and director of the Russian Center for Aging Research, stated in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper, in celebration of April 1st, that "people who laugh regularly have healthier hearts and blood vessels and live longer. Those who laugh more than once a week have a lower risk of death and cardiovascular complications compared to those who laugh less than once a month."
The professor points out that laughter is not just an emotional response; it also directly influences various brain processes, including pain and the immune system. She explains: "Watching comedies increases the pain threshold, which means it reduces pain intensity. This is due to the production of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin) during laughter, which diminish pain severity and create feelings of well-being and joy. Additionally, laughter stimulates the growth of immune system cells that produce antibodies, reducing the risk of infectious diseases."
According to her, laughter also aids in better memory retention. This is explained by the close connection between the limbic system, responsible for emotional reactions such as laughter, and the hippocampus, the part of the brain where memory is formed. Therefore, emotionally charged information is remembered better. She adds: "Laughter activates breathing and improves blood circulation in all body organs. Thus, laughter can be used as part of general strengthening exercises, for example, with patients who have difficulty engaging in regular physical activity."
