Gelotology (from the Greek γέλως gelos "laughter") [1] is the study of laughter and its effects on the body, from a psychological and physiological perspective. Its proponents often advocate induction of laughter on therapeutic grounds in alternative medicine. The field of study was pioneered by William F. Fry of Stanford University. [2]
Gelotology was first studied by psychiatrists, although some doctors in antiquity recommended laughter as a form of medicine. It was initially deprecated by most other physicians, who doubted that laughter possessed analgesic qualities. One early study that demonstrated the effectiveness of laughter in a clinical setting showed that laughter could help patients with atopic dermatitis respond less to allergens. [3] Other studies have shown that laughter can help alleviate stress and pain, and can assist cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. [4]
Several types of therapy have emerged which use laughter to help patients.
Gelotology (from the Greek γέλως gelos "laughter") [1] is the study of laughter and its effects on the body, from a psychological and physiological perspective. Its proponents often advocate induction of laughter on therapeutic grounds in alternative medicine. The field of study was pioneered by William F. Fry of Stanford University. [2]
Gelotology was first studied by psychiatrists, although some doctors in antiquity recommended laughter as a form of medicine. It was initially deprecated by most other physicians, who doubted that laughter possessed analgesic qualities. One early study that demonstrated the effectiveness of laughter in a clinical setting showed that laughter could help patients with atopic dermatitis respond less to allergens. [3] Other studies have shown that laughter can help alleviate stress and pain, and can assist cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. [4]
Several types of therapy have emerged which use laughter to help patients.