Laughter is a universal human behavior, recognized as a complex physiological response involving a coordinated cascade of muscular and respiratory actions. This activity prompts the question of whether it requires a measurable amount of energy. Researchers have long been curious about the metabolic cost of laughter, seeking to determine if the physical act contributes to daily energy expenditure.
The Biological Mechanism of Energy Use
The energy consumed during laughter results directly from the body’s involuntary physical response to humor. A genuine, hearty laugh triggers the rapid contraction and relaxation of numerous muscle groups throughout the upper body. This includes the diaphragm, the primary muscle of respiration, and the abdominal muscles, which engage strongly to force air out of the lungs.
This muscle engagement temporarily elevates the body’s metabolic rate above its resting level. Laughter disrupts the normal breathing pattern, leading to an increased rate of respiration and greater air exchange. Simultaneously, the heart rate typically increases by 10 to 20 percent above the baseline, indicating heightened energy use.
Quantifying the Calorie Expenditure
Studies designed to measure the specific energy expenditure of laughter have provided a quantifiable range for the calories burned. Research found that genuine voiced laughter causes a temporary increase in energy expenditure. This increase can range from 10 to 40 calories for a sustained period of 10 to 15 minutes of laughter.
The actual caloric burn rate varies significantly depending on several individual and situational factors. A primary variable is the intensity of the laughter; a silent chuckle consumes far fewer calories than an unrestrained, boisterous guffaw. Individual body weight and metabolism also play a role, as larger individuals require more energy to perform the same action.
The duration and frequency of the laughter are also important determinants of the total energy burned. On average, the rate of energy expenditure during laughter is approximately 0.19 to 0.31 kilocalories per minute higher than the resting rate. For instance, one analysis estimated that adults burn an average of about 1.3 calories per minute while laughing with friends.
Laughing Versus Other Non-Exercise Activities
The energy cost of laughter is best understood when compared to other non-exercise movements that are part of daily life, collectively known as non-exercise activity thermogenesis. Burning 1.3 calories per minute places laughter at a level comparable to other light activities like standing or slow walking.
Activities involving minimal movement, such as sitting at a desk, typically expend around 50 calories per hour, or less than one calorie per minute. Standing quietly for an hour burns approximately 80 calories, a rate slightly higher than the seated position. The calorie burn from 15 minutes of laughter (roughly 10 to 40 calories) is equivalent to the energy expended during a few minutes of light housekeeping or fidgeting.
While laughter elevates the heart rate and metabolic rate, it does not replace the energy demands of planned, moderate-intensity exercise. However, the accumulated caloric expenditure from frequent bouts of laughter throughout the day contributes a small but measurable boost to total daily energy output.