Can You Hurt Yourself By Laughing Too Much?
We've all heard the common saying that "laughter is the best medicine." Laughter is known to provide a wide range of benefits from stress relief, to improved mood, to even burning calories and toning abs — plus, it's fun! But can there be too much of a good thing?
It's no joke — laughing too much can be damaging, especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Laughter can cause changes in blood pressure as well as ruptures, which can be problematic for those with hernias or heart problems (via Best Life).
Laughing can also be harmful for those with asthma, as a laughter-induced asthma attack is possible (via Healthline). Typically, people only experience mild asthma symptoms, but a severe asthma attack can make it difficult to breathe and immediate medical attention may be needed.
Adding to the more serious laugh-related ailments, one study published in the British Medical Journal found that intense laughing can cause arrhythmia — a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, along with fainting, headaches, incontinence, jaw dislocation, and "protrusion of abdominal hernias," (via Business Insider).
Signs your laughter has become too intense
Laughing too much can also pose a risk to brain aneurysms, which are especially dangerous if they rupture. This leads to pressure buildup in the skull which can stand in the way of oxygen getting to the brain, according to experts at Healthline.
There are some signs to be aware of that indicate your laughter has gotten too intense. Be sure to see your doctor if you experience laughing-induced headaches, difficulty breathing, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
To sum it up, laughter typically doesn't cause any major injuries in healthy people. In fact, there are tons of benefits to laughter — both mental and physical. However, you should be mindful of any unusual symptoms after a big laugh, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions. Otherwise, laughter can be contagious, so enjoy it and spread it far and wide with your loved ones.