What if your best pain reliever wasn’t in your medicine cabinet but in your sense of humor?

In this uplifting episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts explores the surprising power of laughter as a tool for reducing chronic pain, stress, and even inflammation. Through storytelling, research, and a guided mini “laughter workout,” Stacey reveals how intentional laughter can shift brain chemistry, activate healing hormones, and provide real relief from discomfort, all without side effects.

Whether it’s Norman Cousins’ famous recovery through Marx Brothers reruns or modern studies showing how laughter yoga lowers cortisol and improves life satisfaction, this episode makes one thing clear: a daily dose of joy might just be part of your wellness plan.

[00:00:00] – Opening gratitude and intro to laughter as medicine

[00:01:00] – What is laughter therapy and why it matters

[00:01:30] – Norman Cousins’ healing story with laughter

[00:03:01] – The physiology of laughter: cortisol, endorphins, circulation

[00:04:00] – How laughter shifts pain perception

[00:05:00] – Parasympathetic response and relaxation after laughter

[00:06:13] – Structured laughter (laughter yoga) and contagious effect

[00:07:19] – Cortisol reduction and oxytocin release from social laughter

[00:08:00] – Practical laughter prescription: laugh before/during stress

[00:08:50] – Mini laughter workout guided by Stacey

[00:10:00] – Norman Cousins revisited: 10 minutes of laughter = 2 hours of sleep

[00:10:45] – Chronic pain patients using humor see better life satisfaction

[00:11:30] – Final thoughts: Stacey’s 5-point laughter prescription

Laughter won’t replace medical treatment, but it’s a complementary practice that supports healing. If your pain persists or worsens, consult a healthcare provider.

• Laugh every day — on purpose.

• Before something stressful, get your giggle reps in.

• Laugh with others — shared laughter multiplies the benefit.

• Reframe your pain — find humor in the struggle.

• And never underestimate a good snort-laugh.

📞 Call 414‑299‑8121

📧 Email info@newyouhealthandwellness.com

• Kramer, C. K., & Leitão, C. B. (2023). Laughter as medicine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies evaluating the impact of spontaneous laughter on cortisol levels. PLoS ONE, 18(5), e0286260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286260
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• Şis, Ç., & Kılınç, T. (2022). The effect of laughter yoga on perceived stress, burnout, and life satisfaction in nurses during the pandemic: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101638
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• Kuru Aliçi, N., & Bahçeli, P. Z. (2021). Effects of laughter therapy on life satisfaction and loneliness in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Rehabilitation Nursing, 46(2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1097/RNJ.0000000000000288
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• Hassanzadeh, R., et al. (2017). The effect of laughter yoga on anxiety and sleep quality in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. BMC Research Notes, 10, 371.

Could your medication be the hidden cause of your joint or muscle pain?

In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts breaks down six common medication categories that may be contributing to chronic pain, without you even realizing it. From statins and antidepressants to NSAIDs and antibiotics, Stacey walks you through the real side effects that may be worsening your symptoms, not helping them.

She shares what the research says, what to look for in your own medication history, and what conversations to have with your provider if any of these medications ring a bell. You’ll also learn how nutrient testing, hormone evaluation, and functional medicine strategies can help restore your body’s natural healing systems, without stopping medication abruptly or unsupervised.

If you’ve been managing pain with no clear cause, this episode might be the missing piece.

• Do not stop any medications abruptly.
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• If you suspect a medication might be contributing to your pain, consult your provider and:
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• Track when symptoms started vs. when you started the medication
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• Request nutrient testing, hormone testing, and functional support
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• Explore pain-safe alternatives with professional guidance
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At New You Health and Wellness, we support patients struggling with unexplained muscle and joint pain. Our clinic offers:

• Functional medicine consultations
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• Nutrient and hormone testing
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• A personalized SoftWave therapy program
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• Food and gut health assessments
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Call 414-299-8121 or email info@newyouhealthandwellness.com to learn more.

• Statins:
• European Atherosclerosis Society. (2015). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehv043
• Ahmet et al. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835
• NSAIDs:
• Solaiman et al. (2024). https://aoj.amegroups.org/article/view/8367/html
• Cervoni, E. (2024). https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q2030
• Antidepressants:
• Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/what-are-the-real-risks-of-antidepressants
• Riediger et al. (2017). https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00307
• Opioids:
• Lee et al. (2011). https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MTQ0Ng%3D%3D&journal=60
• Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics:
• FDA Drug Safety Communication (2018).

Not everyone wants to rely on supplements or prescriptions to manage joint pain, and the good news is, you don’t always have to.

In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts walks you through 7 common foods that are rich in polyphenols, natural plant compounds that act like your body’s clean-up crew. These antioxidant-rich pantry staples not only reduce inflammation but can also support joint tissue, gut health, and circulation. From olive oil and tea to turmeric and berries, Stacey breaks down how these foods work and where to find them in your kitchen.

You’ll also learn why even “healthy” foods can sometimes cause inflammation and how food sensitivity testing, like the ALCAT, can help you figure out exactly which pain-fighting foods are right for your body.

If you’re looking for practical, natural ways to reduce joint and muscle pain without another pill bottle—this episode is for you.

• Learn more about the ALCAT food sensitivity test: Call 414-299-8121 or email info@newyouhealthandwellness.com

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
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• Free eBooks - https://newyouhealthandwellness.com/ebooks
• Biomechanics: When Movement Matters
• Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Pain - The Gut Joint Axis: A Missing Link to Joint and Muscle Health
• Hormones: A Missing Piece in Pain Relief
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• Stacey’s Book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/Pain-Free-Formula-Solving-Injections/dp/0998183717
• New You Health and Wellness Website - https://newyouhealthandwellness.com

Stacey Roberts, PT, MBA, MSN, RN, is an Amazon bestselling author, physical therapist, registered nurse, and functional medicine specialist with 30+ years of experience. She founded and runs New You Health and Wellness in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. Her program, detailed in her book, The Pain-Free...