Throughout history, doctors, writers, and philosophers have recognised the physical, emotional, and social value of humour. From sacred texts to modern psychological practices, laughter has long been regarded as a powerful medicine for both body and mind. We, Dr Brian and Hephzibah Kaplan, were personally introduced to the use of humour in therapy by our teacher Frank Farrelly, who pioneered an approach known as Provocative Therapy, a form of psychotherapy that integrates compassion and wit to challenge clients toward growth and healing.
Ancient and Religious References
The connection between joy and health can be traced as far back as the Bible. Proverbs 17:22 declares, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” This early recognition of laughter’s healing properties suggests that even in ancient times, a positive attitude was considered essential for well-being.
Medieval to Early Modern Period
By the Middle Ages, the idea of laughter as a healing force had reached the medical world. Henri de Mondeville (c. 1260–1320), a French surgeon, recommended that patients recovering from surgery should be surrounded by joy and amusement, remarking that the surgeon should “regulate the whole regimen of the patient’s life for joy and happiness… by having someone tell him jokes.”
In the 16th century, figures such as Martin Luther encouraged the use of humour pastorally, advising those suffering from melancholy to seek out joyful company and laughter. Likewise, Robert Burton, in his seminal work The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), proposed laughter as a direct antidote to depression.
Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution
During the 18th century, humour began to be studied philosophically and scientifically. English physician William Battie (1703–1776) highlighted the importance of cheerfulness in treating mental illness, suggesting that good spirits were integral to recovery. Meanwhile, the philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) theorised that humour arises from incongruity – when expectations clash with reality – allowing the mind to regain equilibrium through laughter.
The 19th Century: Early Psychological Theories
In the 19th century, Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) advanced what became known as the relief theory of laughter: that humour serves as a release of psychological tension. This concept would later influence Freud and others exploring the connection between humour and the unconscious.
Modern Period
The modern study of humour in therapy took a significant leap in 1905 with the publication of Sigmund Freud’s Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious. Freud proposed that jokes allow repressed thoughts to surface safely and relieve internal tension—offering psychological insight through laughter.
By the 1930s, humour found a literal home in hospitals, where clowns began visiting children with polio in the United States. This early form of medical clowning laid the foundation for what would become an international field of practice. The late 20th century saw a flourishing of humour-based therapeutic models. In 1972, Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams founded the Gesundheit! Institute, blending medical care with joy and playfulness. A year later, Frank Farrelly and Jeff Brandsma formalised Provocative Therapy, a bold and unconventional method that used humorous exaggeration and challenge to promote self-awareness and transformation.
In 1979, journalist Norman Cousins popularised the concept of laughter as medicine in his memoir Anatomy of an Illness, describing how he used comedy films, like the Marx Brothers and Candid Camera, to ease the pain of a serious illness. His work helped inspire further research into the physiological benefits of laughter, such as improved immunity and pain relief.
The 1990s introduced new movements in humour therapy. Dr. Madan Kataria’s Laughter Yoga (1995) combined yogic breathing techniques with voluntary laughter, fostering both physical and emotional health. In 1998, the film Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams, brought global attention to the healing power of humour in medicine.
The 21st Century: Humour as an Established Field
By the early 2000s, medical clowning had evolved into a respected profession, with formal training programs and international organisations such as Clowns Without Borders spreading laughter across hospitals and crisis zones. In 2001, the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) was founded, offering a platform for practitioners and researchers to share evidence and methods.
In recent years, humour-based therapy continues to evolve. The development of Neohumour in 2020 marks a new phase in the integration of humour and psychotherapy, expanding on Farrelly’s Provocative Therapy with additional tools and a refined theoretical framework. Neohumour acknowledges the diversity of human experience in the modern world while maintaining laughter as a vital bridge between mind, body, and spirit.
From ancient wisdom to modern science, humour has stood the test of time as one of humanity’s most natural and profound healing forces. Whether through laughter shared between friends or humour used in psychotherapy, it continues to remind us of our resilience, creativity, and capacity for joy.
Hephzibah Kaplan, 2025