Health · Mental Health · 5 hrs ago
Four-minute comedy clip linked to lower stress in small adult study
Researchers studied 25 healthy Japanese-speaking adults aged 40 to 65.
Participants watched either a four-minute comedy clip or a control video, then completed physical and cognitive measures.
Those who watched the comedy clip showed increased parasympathetic activity, a measure related to the body’s calming response, and lower psychological stress.
They also reported better mood, and the researchers said the clip may help with focused attention.
Earlier studies had examined older people or longer comedy videos, while this study focused on middle-aged adults and a short clip.
The findings suggest laughter-based activities could be a simple, non-drug addition to other ways of managing stress, but the study was small.
The researchers said further research is needed to understand the effects.
A study of 25 healthy Japanese-speaking adults aged 40 to 65 found that a four-minute comedy clip was associated with lower psychological stress and increased parasympathetic activity.
Participants watched either a comedic video or a control video before physical and cognitive measures were taken.
The study also found higher scores in almost all measured areas of subjective mood after the comedic video than after the control video.
The findings were reported by Psychology Today in an article discussing research by Tatsuya Yamakoshi and colleagues published in 2025.
- Who
- Tatsuya Yamakoshi and colleagues studied 25 healthy Japanese-speaking adults aged 40 to 65.
- What
- The study compared responses after participants watched a four-minute comedic clip or a control video.
- When
- The research was published in 2025. The exact study date is not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The researchers examined how laughter affects stress and focus in middle-aged adults.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Tatsuya Yamakoshi and colleagues published their study on laughter, focus and stress in middle-aged adults.
Participants watched a four-minute comedic clip or a control video, then completed physical and cognitive measures.
The comedic-video group showed increased parasympathetic activity, lower psychological stress and higher mood scores in almost all measured areas.
- Participants
- 25 healthy Japanese-speaking adults
- Age range
- 40 to 65
- Video length
- Four minutes
- Study publication
- 2025
- Reported stress result
- Lower psychological stress after the comedic video than after the control video
Sources
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