Dementia and heart disease: what if laughter protected us?

The links between laughter and heart disease are already known, but until now, evidence of the relationship between laughter and dementia has been almost non-existent. And yet one Japanese study proved the rather positive link.

Laughter: reduced risk of dementia

12,651 Japanese elderly people (non-dependent) aged 65 and over were followed for more than 6 years by the scientific team.

Laughter opportunities were assessed using a questionnaire completed by each participant. The possible diagnosis of dementia was made for some of these seniors using a standardized Japanese dementia scale.

It turns out that the more opportunities to laugh, the lower the risk of dementia, especially in women. The reduction in this risk is significant since it is estimated at 16%, and even 22% in women. Laughing during conversations with friends, interacting with children or grandchildren and listening to the radio were mainly associated with this reduction in risk.

Laughter: a plus for our arteries and our heart

Saccording to Dr Damien Mascretdoctor and journalist: “those who laugh rarely are more prone to stroke and those who laugh every day are at the lowest risk. […]. Those who laugh often (1 to 5 days a week) [sont à] +12% risk of stroke, those who rarely laugh +27% and those who never laugh +60%“.

Moreover, as specified in the French Federation of Cardiology (FFC), laughter reduces stress and blood pressure, increases the quantity of air ventilated and therefore cleans our lungs, reduces the production of cortisol thus providing a feeling of well-being, helps with better digestion and good sleep , and facilitates human relationships.

A word of advice: don’t forget to laugh out loud, it’s good for the brain and the heart but also for your well-being.