The effects of laughter on pain tolerance using a cold-pressor task

A body of literature exists to suggest that the humor can alter one\u27s perception of pain, and consequently enhance the ability to cope. While prior research has primarily explored humor\u27s pain-ameliorating effects in the context of smiling, the present study examined the impact of laughter on participants\u27 ability to tolerate a painful stimulus. Pain was induced using a cold-pressor task, and laughter was provoked using a humorous video. Objective pain tolerance was measured in time (seconds) spent with arm submerged in an ice-bucket apparatus. A significant relationship was found between laughter and one\u27s capacity to tolerate a painful stimulus. The implications of these findings as well as directions for future research are discussed