Is laughter the best medicine? In truth: not really, apparently. The British Medical Journal published a
study that includes many interesting ways in which laughter is beneficial, as well as an odd list of harmful consequences.
The researchers analyzed studies from two different journals dating back to 1946 controlling for scientists' names that include "laugh" (Laughton, or McLaughlin, for example). Here are some of the consequences of laughing:
1. Dislocated jaw
2. Incontinence
3. Headaches
4. Cardiac rupture
And in most serious circumstances: death.
Still, it's not a bad thing to laugh, because laughter can lead to improved lung functioning, higher energy and even better odds of conception.
Read the
full study.