Can Laughter be Fatal? The rare but shocking risks of excessive laughter

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): It is often said that "laughter is the best medicine," but what if laughter could also be fatal? While laughter is generally beneficial to health excessive laughter can have harmful effects on the body. People often laugh to relieve stress and relax which can strengthen immunity but there are rare cases where excessive laughter has led to death. It's crucial to note that laughing alone does not kill but the physical condition caused by uncontrollable laughter can be dangerous. In 1975 a man named Alex Mitchell tragically passed away from laughter while watching the 901st episode of The Goodies, titled "Kung Fu Capers." It is believed that Mitchell's death was linked to a heart condition called Long QT Syndrome which was also responsible for his granddaughter's heart attack. Mitchell's case is thought to have been caused by the same condition. Similarly, another man, Damnoen Sen-um, died in his sleep after laughing continuously for two minutes with reports suggesting either suffocation or a heart attack as the cause of death.

These incidents highlight the potential risks associated with excessive or hysterical laughter which can put immense pressure on the lungs heart and brain. While laughter is generally considered good for everyone it is essential to understand that every person’s body is different and some individuals may be more susceptible to negative effects. Continuous laughter can cause shortness of breath, potentially leading to a heart attack or respiratory failure. Although rare, there have been several cases of people dying due to laughter. One such instance occurred in 2013 in Maharashtra when 22-year-old Mangesh Bhogal suffered a heart attack after laughing uncontrollably during a screening of the comedy film Grand Masti. Similar incidents have occurred worldwide, where a person experiences prolonged laughter only to succumb to a fatal condition. Experts emphasize the importance of laughter for overall well-being. However they warn that excessive or forced laughter particularly when holding the stomach can cause breathing difficulties. For those with underlying health issues this can lead to severe problems like heart attacks or respiratory arrest and in extreme cases death. Therefore while laughter is beneficial it’s essential to be mindful of one's physical limits to avoid potential health risks.