For Dr Crick, it is laughter’s ability to relax us that its healing power lies. ‘After a good laugh, our mind stops focusing on pain or negative thoughts, and endorphins start to flow in our brains. It puts the body in a situation where it can begin to heal itself. When we are healthy we can achieve this state through physical exercise, social contact, and so on – things that are more difficult when you are in hospital. Laughter, in the same way as music, can bring relaxation into the wards.’