Laughter as Therapy: A Serious Look at the Benefits of Humour
- Peter Middleton
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
ve always had a well-developed sense of humour. It’s kept me from falling into the depths of despair on many occasions and helped me to avoid some potentially dangerous situations.
But most of all, I love to laugh and be in the company of others who are creating and enjoying humour.
As someone living with dementia, I often find that people expect my world to be defined by loss or confusion. However, my work co-presenting a workshop on the therapeutic benefits of clowning a few years ago and my current comedy workshops and drop-ins with Bright Sparks and the NHFT Recovery College have shown me the real, practical value of laughter.
I believe laughter is a powerful tool for recovery and well-being, offering connection, creativity, and joy beyond what many assume possible for people like me.
While our workshops are fun, they have real benefits for health, community, and the NHS. We’re not just telling jokes; we’re engaging in meaningful activities.
To bridge personal experience with broader benefits, it's helpful to examine laughter's effects on the brain and body.
The Neuroscience of Laughter
It’s important to recognise that laughter sets off a powerful response in the body. It’s more than just reacting to something funny; it creates a physical event that changes our body chemistry.
Stress Reduction: Laughter helps lower cortisol and epinephrine, two stress-related hormones. For those of us dealing with anxiety around our health or mental well-being, this biological “reset” can make a big difference.
Neurochemical Release: Laughing sparks the brain to release dopamine, linked to pleasure and reward, and endorphins, which act as mild pain relievers.
Oxygenation: A good bout of laughter increases our intake of oxygen-rich air. This stimulates the heart, lungs, and muscles, effectively acting as a mild workout that increases energy levels.
Benefits to the Individual: Beyond the Diagnosis
In the Recovery College environment, we focus on the person, not the patient. Comedy workshops offer a unique pathway to reclaiming identity.
Cognitive Engagement: Participating in comedy, particularly improvisation, requires active listening and quick thinking. It encourages us to use our brains in new ways, focusing on "in the moment" processing rather than relying on memory, which can be a source of frustration for people like me.
Emotional Resilience: Learning to find humour in difficult situations gives us a coping mechanism. It allows us to gain perspective on our struggles. If we can laugh at a mistake or a moment of confusion, it loses its power to frighten or shame us.
Social Connection: Isolation is a significant risk factor for those with dementia and mental health issues. Laughter is a universal language that creates an immediate bond between people, dissolving social barriers and feelings of loneliness.
Benefits to Society: Changing the Narrative
There is a pervasive stigma surrounding dementia and mental health. Society often views us through a lens of deficit, focusing on what we can no longer do.
These workshops challenge that view. When we perform or share humour, we demonstrate our continued capacity for wit, insight, and joy. It shifts the focus from "suffering" to "living."
By presenting ourselves as capable of generating laughter, we encourage society to treat us as equals rather than subjects of pity. This helps build a more inclusive community where neurodiversity and mental health differences are understood and accepted.
Benefits to the NHS: The Value of Social Prescribing
From a systemic perspective, investing in laughter and arts-based therapies makes logical sense for the NHS.
Prevention and Maintenance: By boosting mood and fighting isolation, these workshops help us feel well overall. This approach aligns with preventive care. When people have social connections and emotional tools, they are less likely to face crises that need urgent care.
Cost-Effectiveness: Peer-led groups like Bright Sparks are an affordable way to support wellbeing alongside traditional medical care. They’re a great example of high-value social prescribing.
Aligned with Recovery Principles: The NHFT Recovery College model is built on hope, control, and opportunity. Comedy workshops perfectly embody these principles by giving participants control over their narrative and the opportunity to succeed in a supportive environment.
Conclusion
Laughter may feel like a luxury, but for many of us, it is a lifeline. It provides a respite from the clinical aspects of our lives and reminds us of our humanity. Through Bright Sparks and the Recovery College, we are proving that recovery isn't just about medicine; it is also about finding reasons to smile.
And last but not least, a big shout-out to my friends and co-presenters, Rob Gee and Loz Anstey, whose wit and compassion inspire me.
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