Mind Uncharted Explore. Discover. Learn.
The Science Behind Laughing and Comedy
What’s funny? Why do we laugh? What happens in our brains when we hear a joke? These are some questions that have fascinated scientists for a long time. Laughter and comedy are part of our lives in some way or another, and understanding the science behind them can provide some insights into our behaviors, emotions, and relationships.
Let’s have a closer look into the science behind laughing and comedy.
The Benefits of Laughter
We have all heard the saying: “Laughter is the best medicine.” It’s a pretty accurate statement. Laughter helps relieve stress, improves mood, enhances social bonding, and boosts the immune system. When we laugh, our bodies release endorphins, which are natural painkillers that make us feel good. Laughing also reduces the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in our blood.
Comedy and the Brain
The science of laughter is connected directly to the structure of the brain. The processing of humor originates from the prefrontal cortex of the brain, where complex cognitive functions such as decision-making and problem-solving take place. But surprise is the key when it comes to comedy. The first stage is the receipt of important information, which later triggers a surprise, a release of tension, and ultimately, laughter.
Humor Styles
Believe it or not, scientists have also identified different humor styles. One classification is based on four styles: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating. Affiliative humor involves making light of situations and letting others feel good about themselves, and self-enhancing humor focuses on maintaining a humorous perspective during tough times. Aggressive humor is often used for funny insults that usually target people to cause harm, whereas self-defeating humor is self-deprecating humor that is intended to decrease tension during tricky social situations. Understanding these styles is important because your style of humor can impact your relationships with others, as jokes that are intended to relate might offend someone else’s sense of humors.
Laughter in Relationships
Laughter enhances relationships. Partners tend to like each other more when they laugh together, and in fact, shared humor is one of the highest predictors of relationship satisfaction. Laughter helps people connect and feel connected to each other on a deep level. The freedom to laugh in good company can increase trust and affection.
The Bottom Line
There’s a reason why laughter is infectious—it’s good for you! Scientific research has shown the benefits of laughter in different areas of our lives. Understanding the science behind comedy and laughter can help us embrace and celebrate humor in our daily lives consciously. Humor indeed is one of life’s universal languages.
