Standing in a room full of strangers, making direct eye contact with others, and laughing in their face might sound like a nightmare to some. Members of the Iowa City Senior Center’s Laughter Club ...

They say laughter is the best medicine. Michael Miller, a cardiologist and medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, says they’re right. Melanin Bee curves her spine like a stretching cat ...

Jay Gilchrist (left) and Chris Cotant, members of the Laughter Club, practice laughing exercises on Jan. 17 at the Iowa City Senior Center in Iowa City. The senior center holds the Laughter Club ...

Funny best friends laughing cheerfully while standing together in a studio. Two happy young women enjoying themselves against a purple background. Female friends making memories together. Melanin Bee ...

Melanin Bee curves her spine like a cat as she lets out a maniacal, forced laugh. The quick-fire pattern of manufactured giggles —“oh, hoo hoo hoo, eeh, ha ha ha”— ripples into genuine laughter and ...

Melanin Bee curves her spine like a stretching cat as she lets out a maniacal, forced laugh. The quick-fire pattern of manufactured giggles —“oh, hoo hoo hoo, eeh, ha ha ha”— soon ripples into genuine ...