Memes as a therapeutic tool during the COVID-19 pandemic: a reflection from the perspective of visual culture, psychiatry, psychology and neurosciences

Abstract

The use of virtual therapies and therapeutic support through social networks has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these strategies was the use of humor through memes. Humor has a wide range of significant positive effects on emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. Taking this into account, the objective of this paper is to analyze the concept of meme; its history as a therapeutic tool; the relationship between memes, humor and the human expression of laughter; the impact of the latter three on cortisol and oxytocin production; the positive effects of sharing memes, and strategies for choosing a meme that can be act as a therapeutic tool.