Scientists reveal surprising brain benefit of laughter: ‘Exercise for the mind’
The old adage that laughter is the best medicine may be true, according to new research that suggests it is an important motivator for children’s development.
Laughter and play are important for healthy brain development, emotional well-being and social interaction, according to Jacqueline Harding, Ph.D., a pediatrician at Middlesex University in London.
In her book, “The Laughing Brain,” Harding argues that happiness is a complex biological phenomenon that helps children manage stress and build strong, responsive minds, SWNS news agency reported.
“When we see children laughing, we see the brain’s intelligence in action: learning, connecting and growing,” Harding told SWNS.
“Hope and humor, it seems, are not only the spice of life, but the basis of a healthy growth path.”
Laughter activates extensive brain networks, including motor regions and the prefrontal cortex, long before children learn to speak. By helping the mind resolve conflicting ideas, it boosts creativity and activates working memory, acting as a “brain exercise,” say experts.
At the molecular level, laughter changes internal chemistry by reducing stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. It also increases “happy chemicals” such as dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.
Additionally, laughter is known to boost oxytocin, which deepens emotional bonds between parents and children.
Chronic stress does the exact opposite: It impairs learning, suppresses immune function and alters the developing nervous system, which controls emotions and long-term memory, according to SWNS.
“Simply put, young children’s emotional state directly influences how they navigate the world,” Harding said.
Parents can encourage these benefits through spontaneous playtimes and fun interactions, the expert advises.
This interaction does more than create laughter — it helps children develop emotional systems, strengthen feelings of safety and connection, and support social and cognitive development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Spontaneous, fun play is an antidote to stress, as it increases the levels of endorphins released by the brain,” says Harding. “Imaginative, fun play does its most brilliant work at the molecular level, especially at a time when the human brain is most responsive.”
This shared joy also establishes “reciprocity,” where the child learns to control his or her stress by using the biological store of positive early experiences.
Harding advocates integrating humor directly into classrooms to reduce mental load and improve children’s retention of important concepts.
By stimulating the nervous system, happiness creates an ideal environment for information absorption, as the SWNS piece noted.
“Safe relationships and stress-free play spaces encourage learning,” she added.
“The curriculum should not be prioritized over those two important factors.”
