Stress-reducing effect of laughter in live comedy performance from salivary α-amylase and salivary oxytocin

Pre-LCP sAA was significantly positively correlated with a decreasing post-sAA/pre-sAA ratio; the scale of this effect was age dependent. Furthermore, participants who reported laughing 'several times a month' showed the highest value in the post-/pre-LCP sAA ratio. In contrast, those who reported laughing 'many times a day' had the lowest value. Contrary to our expectations, sOXT levels were significantly lower in post-LCP samples than they were in pre-LCP samples. This is thought to be because OXT has an anti-stress hormone effect, and stress was reduced after LCP, resulting in a decrease in oxytocin secretion. Our findings offer new insight into the stress-reducing effects of laughter.