Gelotology

Gelotology (from the Greek γέλως gelos "laughter") is the study of laughter and its effects on the body, from a psychological and physiological perspective. Its proponents often advocate induction of laughter on therapeutic grounds in alternative medicine. The field of study was pioneered by William F. Fry of Stanford University.

Gelotology was first studied by psychiatrists, although some doctors in antiquity recommended laughter as a form of medicine. It was initially deprecated by most other physicians, who doubted that laughter possessed analgesic qualities. One early study that demonstrated the effectiveness of laughter in a clinical setting showed that laughter could help patients with atopic dermatitis respond less to allergens. Other studies have shown that laughter can help alleviate stress and pain, and can assist cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

"The science of laughter was formally established in March 1964, by the origination, by Dr. Edith Trager, of its name - Gelotology, from the Greek root, gelos (laughter)." This quote is from the November 1964, FINAL PROGRESS REPORT-PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, Grant No. MH 07665-01, Principal Investigator William J. Fry, Jr., M.D. A copy of this report was provided to Steve Wilson by Dr. Fry. There is no evidence that it was ever published anywhere.

Several types of therapy have emerged which use laughter to help patients.

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