And I have even sold expensive life coaching although apparently I was very helpful.
I certainly agree that oxytocin is a major part of a lot of these things. It's why walking outside, sex, breastfeeding etc make you happy. However you have to get the balance right. For happiness you need the correct balance of chemicals in the brain, just just huge sugar or drugs spike and then a crash.
Comic effects - yes laughter makes people feel good too. So does just being with and talking to someone else. Old people living alone who have a pet or go out and meet others are a lot happier.
On the matter of who can do what certain things anyone can do - life coaching, laying on of hands , therapist etc. Some job titles only qualified people may use - doctor, nurse, solicitor, barrister etc. Everyone is subject to 2008 regulations which say you must not engage in misleading advertising in effect so you cannot say we will put you in touch with your dead father or cure your cancer unless you are sure that you can and if you get it wrong it is criminal offence. The AS has had a huge number of complaints by good scientists cross about the rubbish claims by the nutty alternative people offering often for quite high sums supposed healing. We certainly need to protect the vulnerable.
There was someone who died of cancer - was it Karon keating - her mother is quite famous too. I forget the names. Verty sad, had young children, married etc. She spent the year before she died going all over the planet trying masses of alternative treatments. She spent about £1m on it the press said. Her money. Her choice and manyo f us would rather go down fighting trying all conventional and alternative things than just relying on one route.