Last Updated on 16th November 2024 by Caroline Haye
With no harmful side effects
How do you react when someone makes a statement that you find hard to believe? A statement that sounds utterly ridiculous, irrational or unlikely like, for example, “Laughter could improve your vitiligo.” You might (rather fittingly) respond by saying “You’re the one having a laugh, mate!” But how ridiculous would such a statement really be? Is laughter merely a sound we make to express our sense of fun? Or is it literally the best medicine, as the saying goes? And, if so, is laughter a vitiligo remedy worth using? If it is, I can’t think of a more enjoyable one. Not to mention the fact that laughter has no side effects… At least, no harmful ones. So what evidence is there, if any, that having a laugh might improve a chronic skin condition like vitiligo?
What is laughter?
Asking such a basic question as this may seem ridiculous, given how familiar the act of laughing is to us humans. (And to certain other animals, apparently.) But laughter is an intriguing phenomenon when you stop to think about it. Much like sleep, there is something mysterious and magical about laughter. And just as sleep is vital to maintaining physical and mental health, our experience and intuition both tell us that laughter is similarly therapeutic. We don’t need scientific data to know that when we laugh we feel happy, more relaxed and upbeat. But that’s not to say that the science behind the phenomenon isn’t fascinating in its own right. In fact, it is pretty amazing.
The exact characteristic of an individual’s laugh varies from one to another. It is as unique as their voice, smile or facial features. It can range from a repetitive squeak, snort or chuckle to a musical scale, from a staccato bark to an explosive guffaw. But laughter is similar enough from one person to the next that we instantly recognise it for what it is… An unmistakable physiological reaction – both audible and visible – in response to something we find humorous. And the facial expressions that accompany laughter are also instantly recognisable… The mischievous grimace and screwed up eyes, as in the photo at the top of this page. And, sometimes this is accompanied by tears of merriment, difficulty catching our breath, and helpless stomach clutching… all of which would seem alarming if not for the fact that it is so enjoyable.
What happens to our body and mind when we laugh?
There has not been a massive amount of research into exactly what happens to the body when we laugh. (Perhaps the subject is not deemed sufficiently serious!) But we all know from experience how much better we immediately feel whenever we have a good laugh – or even just a giggle. And scientists have demonstrated that measurable physical and mental improvements occur when we laugh.
This guide itemises the beneficial physiological effects of laughter, including the following…
- Relaxes the body
- Boosts the immune system
- Releases endorphins (so-called happy hormones)
- Lowers stress hormones
- Protects the heart
- Burns calories
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Diffuses anger and conflict
- Appears to increase longevity
… As well as the many mental health benefits, in terms of stress relief, enhanced mood, better perspective and emotional resilience and general psychological well-being. Not to mention the fact that a sense of fun and laughter is infectious. So when you share a joke with friends (or strangers) you also help to spread the mental benefits of laughter beyond yourself. As the saying goes, Laugh and the world laughs with you.
Laughter on prescription
So conclusive and widely acknowledged is current research into the physical and mental benefits of laughter that some are calling for laughter therapy to be available from doctors on prescription… Which may seem a bit, um, well… funny! But it strikes me as a refreshingly common-sense idea. In fact, the concept of laughter therapy and laughter yoga has been around for some time. And some health care providers already recommend this completely natural, cost-effective and drug-fee “medicine” to their patients and clients in the knowledge that the health benefits are potentially life-changing and the negative side effects are zero. But what relevance does any of this have to vitiligo?
How can laughter improve vitiligo?
Vitiligo is not just a cosmetic skin condition. It is a complex, systemic disease, meaning that its underlying causes and effects can impact on the whole of the body… White patches being just one symptom of many for a lot of sufferers. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense to me that a therapy proven to improve overall physical health has the potential to reduce all unwanted symptoms, including pigment loss.
In particular, improvements to the normal functioning of the immune system can surely only be a good thing in the context of an autoimmune condition like vitiligo.
Add to this is the well established fact that laughter is good for mental health, and especially good for reducing stress, and the benefits for vitiligo are obvious. Emotional stress is one of the factors that can trigger or aggravate vitiligo. So anything that reduces stress and lifts mood is likely to have a protective effect against this trigger.
Not only is laughter, in my opinion, highly likely to improve the physical symptoms of vitiligo, but it most definitely has the power to improve psychological symptoms. After all, no matter what is going on in their life, it’s hard for anyone to feel depressed, fearful or lacking confidence when they are fully immersed in a wave of helpless hilarity. For that period of time at least all of the health benefits listed above kick in. And the more humour and spontaneous laughter a person can start to enjoy on a daily basis, the greater and longer-lasting the benefits are bound to be.
So, what does any of us have to lose by cultivating our sense of fun and seeing the humorous side of life? The worst that could possibly happen is that we will feel happier and make those around us happier too. But, more than that, I sincerely believe that we will feel healthier too. And that the health benefits we will enjoy may also include improvements to our most stubborn chronic conditions and symptoms, even vitiligo.
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” – Charlie Chaplin
