35 | Is Laughter The Best Medicine, Even For Pain?

What if your best pain reliever wasn’t in your medicine cabinet but in your sense of humor?

In this uplifting episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts explores the surprising power of laughter as a tool for reducing chronic pain, stress, and even inflammation. Through storytelling, research, and a guided mini “laughter workout,” Stacey reveals how intentional laughter can shift brain chemistry, activate healing hormones, and provide real relief from discomfort, all without side effects.

Whether it’s Norman Cousins’ famous recovery through Marx Brothers reruns or modern studies showing how laughter yoga lowers cortisol and improves life satisfaction, this episode makes one thing clear: a daily dose of joy might just be part of your wellness plan.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00:00] – Opening gratitude and intro to laughter as medicine

[00:01:00] – What is laughter therapy and why it matters

[00:01:30] – Norman Cousins’ healing story with laughter

[00:03:01] – The physiology of laughter: cortisol, endorphins, circulation

[00:04:00] – How laughter shifts pain perception

[00:05:00] – Parasympathetic response and relaxation after laughter

[00:06:13] – Structured laughter (laughter yoga) and contagious effect

[00:07:19] – Cortisol reduction and oxytocin release from social laughter

[00:08:00] – Practical laughter prescription: laugh before/during stress

[00:08:50] – Mini laughter workout guided by Stacey

[00:10:00] – Norman Cousins revisited: 10 minutes of laughter = 2 hours of sleep

[00:10:45] – Chronic pain patients using humor see better life satisfaction

[00:11:30] – Final thoughts: Stacey’s 5-point laughter prescription

Your Prescription

Laughter won’t replace medical treatment, but it’s a complementary practice that supports healing. If your pain persists or worsens, consult a healthcare provider.

• Laugh every day — on purpose.

• Before something stressful, get your giggle reps in.

• Laugh with others — shared laughter multiplies the benefit.

• Reframe your pain — find humor in the struggle.

• And never underestimate a good snort-laugh.

📞 Call 414‑299‑8121

📧 Email [e-mail]

References & Further Reading

• Kramer, C. K., & Leitão, C. B. (2023). Laughter as medicine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies evaluating the impact of spontaneous laughter on cortisol levels. PLoS ONE, 18(5), e0286260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286260
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• Şis, Ç., & Kılınç, T. (2022). The effect of laughter yoga on perceived stress, burnout, and life satisfaction in nurses during the pandemic: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101638
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• Kuru Aliçi, N., & Bahçeli, P. Z. (2021). Effects of laughter therapy on life satisfaction and loneliness in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Rehabilitation Nursing, 46(2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1097/RNJ.0000000000000288
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• Hassanzadeh, R., et al. (2017). The effect of laughter yoga on anxiety and sleep quality in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. BMC Research Notes, 10, 371.