Laughter is more than a social nicety or an emotional release—it’s a powerful tool for mental health and brain function. From reducing stress and anxiety to enhancing memory and focus, laughter exercises are emerging as a serious wellness practice, especially on the campus of Stanford University.

Dr. Gigi Otálvaro, affectionately known as “Dr. Giggles,” is pioneering this playful path to wellness through her popular course Laughter & Play for Wellbeing at Stanford. She teaches breath-based laughter exercises that don’t rely on jokes but instead encourage people to laugh for “no reason”—just for the joy of it.

"After laughter sessions, students report greater productivity, presence, and creativity," says Dr. Otálvaro. The secret lies in the physiological effects of laughter: it lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), boosts memory by protecting the hippocampus, and stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin, which support a calm and creative mindset.

These exercises are not only for students. Research shows that laughter improves short-term memory in adults over 65 and even lowers cortisol levels by nearly 50% just by anticipating humor. Dr. Otálvaro, a longtime caregiver, also uses laughter to help process grief and emotional pain, calling it “a powerful tool for resilience.”

Some examples of laughter exercises she uses include:

• Milkshake Laughter: Participants pretend to make a joyful “milkshake” with imaginary ingredients like sunshine or music, and then drink it while laughing.
• Aloha Laughter: Inspired by the Hawaiian word for love and peace, this involves deep breathing while chanting “Alo… ha!”—and laughing on the exhale.

Interested in joining a laughter session? Dr. Otálvaro offers free public courses:

• Laughter Yoga, online via UCSF Osher Center (Thursdays, July 17–31)
• Laughter for Healing & Well-being, in person at Stanford Hospital (Wednesdays, August 6–27)

Whether you're a busy student, a stressed professional, or a senior looking to stay sharp, laughter yoga offers a joyful path to mental clarity, emotional balance, and brain health—one laugh at a time.

PC: stanford.edu