You Know Who's Bizarrely Good For People's Health? Clowns.

Over the past three decades, clowns have worked their way into the fabric of hospitals around the world. Through the judicious (and compared to the garish circus clowns from your nightmares, restrained) use of humor, songs, and play, these specialized medical clowns try to break the rhythm and tone of clinical settings. Historically many doctors welcomed their presence because they seemed innocuous at worst, but a proven boon for stress and morale at best. Recently, though, some medical professionals have started to take hospital clowns much more seriously thanks to emerging research that seems to indicate the humor they provide is consistently more than just a fleeting distraction.

Clowning reliably reduces stress and encourages the release of endorphins in patients, helping the immune system, blood pressure, and other biological systems. This lowered stress helps to improve patient-doctor communication, decreases the need for painkillers or sedatives in some procedures, and generally reduces hospital stays while improving perceptions of visits.

Although most studies have focused on children, some research indicates clowning has similar effects on adults: One

odd study conducted in Israel in 2011

found that women entertained by a clown while undergoing IVF fertility treatments had about a quarter times higher chance of getting pregnant than those who were not so entertained.

Another in Canada

suggested clowns could help seniors with dementia with their mood and communication skills, as well as giving them a sense of autonomy.

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