Researchers & Institutions

Lead Researchers: Maria Meier Lisa Wirz

• • Philip Dickinson
  • Jens C. Pruessner
• Affiliations:
  • University of Konstanz (Germany)
  • Ruhr University Bochum (Germany)
  • McGill University & Douglas Mental Health Institute (Canada)
• Study Location: Montréal, Canada
• Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Objectives of the Study

To test if a 30-minute Laughter Yoga session could:

1. Reduce cortisol (the body's primary stress hormone)
2. Lower alpha-amylase (a stress-related enzyme)
3. Reduce subjective feelings of stress

All of these were measured after exposing participants to a stress test (a mock job interview and math task in front of a panel).

Participants

• Number: 35 healthy young adults (51% female)
• Age Range: 18 to 34 years (average ~24 years)
• Exclusion Criteria:
  • Smokers, heavy drinkers
  • People on medications affecting hormones
  • People with psychiatric disorders or hormonal imbalances

Study Design & Protocol

 

Stress Induction

After the 30-minute sessions, all participants were exposed to:

• TSST-G (Trier Social Stress Test for Groups)
  A standardized and widely used stress test involving:
  • Giving a 5-minute speech for a job interview
  • Solving a tough mental arithmetic task
  • In front of a panel (no positive feedback, being videotaped)

This test is known to raise cortisol and stress levels significantly.

Measurements

Taken repeatedly before, during, and after:

1. Salivary Cortisol – Hormonal stress response (via saliva samples)
2. Salivary Alpha-Amylase – Nervous system stress response
3. Subjective Stress Ratings – Using a 0 to 100 scale (how stressed they felt)

Key Results

Cortisol (Stress Hormone)

• Laughter Yoga group had significantly lower cortisol after the stress test.
• Cortisol levels in the control group were the highest, showing they were the most stressed physiologically.
• Relaxation breathing helped slightly but not significantly.

 

Alpha-Amylase (Autonomic Response)

• No significant difference between the three groups.
• LY group showed a slight decrease, but it wasn’t statistically significant.

Subjective Stress (How People Felt)

• All participants felt equally stressed, no matter the group.
• Laughter Yoga helped the body, but not the perception of stress.

Interpretation & Insights

• Laughter Yoga seemed to buffer the body’s stress response, especially by reducing cortisol.
• The emotional experience of stress did not change – people still felt pressure.
• This suggests Laughter Yoga helps you “keep calm on the inside,” even when you feel stressed.

Why Laughter Yoga Worked?

Researchers suggested:

• Social bonding and shared laughter reduced the feeling of social threat.
• Laughter may reduce shame and self-awareness, two factors that trigger cortisol spikes in social stress.
• Group laughter created a feeling of connection, which may reduce stress responses even in threatening situations.

Conclusion

Laughter Yoga reduced the body’s hormonal stress response (cortisol) after facing an acute challenge, making it a cost-effective, easy-to-implement tool for stress management.

Even if you still feel nervous or anxious, your body stays calmer—and that can protect your long-term health.