Gelotology

Two girls laughing

Gelotology (from the Greek γέλως gelos "laughter")[1] 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.[2]

  1. ^ GEN γέλωτος gelotos; γέλως. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
  2. ^ Liebertz, Charmaine (September 21, 2005). "A Healthy Laugh". Scientific American. Retrieved November 24, 2011.