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The comedian’s advice is classic, and he’s got the evidence to back it up.

Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia

Key Points

• Laughter may reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, supporting overall well-being and happiness.
• Laughing with others can strengthen social bonds, which are key to healthy aging.
• While not a cure-all, laughter complements habits like exercise, sleep and a nutrient-rich diet.

Mel Brooks—the comedy legend behind such hits as Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and The Producers—has a theory about why he’s lived such a long life, and he’s not the only one who put it to the test. Brooks points to two of his closest friends and fellow comedy icons, Carl Reiner and Sid Caesar, who both lived into their 90s. Their shared secret, as he sees it? They never stopped finding things funny.

“We all laughed a lot,” Mel Brooks told PEOPLE last year. “I think laughing keeps you healthy and happy,” he added.

It’s a charming idea, and very on-brand for the man who just turned 100 and is still keeping us in stitches. But here’s the surprising part: When Brooks says laughter helps keep you “healthy and happy,” he might be onto something truly science-backed.

We all know that laughter feels good in the moment, but researchers have been curious about whether it does anything measurable for your body. The short answer: it may help you manage stress better. And that matters, because chronic stress can take a toll on both physical and mental health over time.

That doesn’t mean a good laugh is a magic solution—but the science is compelling.

What Does the Research Say?

Some data links laughter and some surprisingly positive health outcomes. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis pulled together eight studies involving 315 adults to look at how laughter affects cortisol, one of the body’s main stress hormones. The findings suggested that laughter interventions were associated with a roughly 32% reduction in cortisol levels compared with control conditions.

Even more striking, the researchers found that a single laughter session, whether it was watching a comedy clip or joining a therapist-led laughter program, was linked to a meaningful drop in cortisol.

It’s worth pausing on the caveats, though. These studies were small, their methods varied quite a bit and the overall quality of evidence was rated moderate to low. The authors were clear that laughter shows promise as a complementary way to support well-being, not as a standalone treatment. This research is promising, but it’s definitely not proven.

Beyond stress, broader research suggests laughter may also lift your mood, build resilience and strengthen social bonds. That last point is easy to overlook but worth highlighting, since laughing is often something we do with other people, and those connections tend to be good for us.

Laughter alone doesn’t determine how long anyone lives. Longevity is shaped by a tangle of factors: genetics, lifestyle, access to medical care, sleep, movement, diet and the strength of your relationships are all key elements.

What the current science suggests is that laughing may be one small, accessible habit that supports your overall well-being, especially by helping you cope with stress—potentially keeping you “healthy and happy,” just as Brooks suggested.

More Habits for Longevity

If you’re thinking about healthy aging, laughter can be a lovely addition to your routine. But it works best alongside the habits that decades of research consistently link to better long-term health:

• Move your body regularly. Consistent physical activity supports heart health, mood and mobility as you age.
• Eat a nutrient-dense diet. Plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins give your body what it needs to function well.
• Stay socially connected. Strong relationships are tied to healthier aging, and they often come with plenty of laughter built in.
• Prioritize sleep and stress management. Quality rest and tools for handling stress help protect both physical and mental health over time.

None of these are flashy. But together, they form the real foundation of a long, healthy life, which are the kind of everyday choices that add up quietly over decades.

Our Expert Take

What makes Brooks’ story resonate isn’t a clinical claim. It’s the picture he paints of a life filled with purpose, joy and connection. “Making comedy is a great job,” he told PEOPLE. “It keeps you sane and happy. It gives you a reason to be alive.”

That sense of meaning is woven through a lot of what researchers consider a full, healthy life. So no, laughter isn’t a guaranteed ticket to your 100th birthday. But if it helps ease your stress, lift your mood and bring you closer to the people you love, that’s reason enough to find more of it. Mel Brooks has spent a century proving as much, one laugh at a time.