Many people would say that they laugh on a daily basis, whether it's at a funny joke, a stupid TikTok their friend sends them, or a wrong step when walking that makes you trip over your own feet. But what makes something funny? What is scientifically happening inside our brain when something is funny?
Laughter starts when your brain recognizes something funny, using networks involved in attention, memory, and emotion to help you “get” the joke. Motor pathways coordinate the physical act of laughing.
Laughing can do more than just provide an immediate mood boost. Laughter increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Healthy blood flow to the brain can reduce the risk of cognitive disabilities such as Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and depression.
In addition, laughter activates the nervous system, influences stress hormones, and engages muscles and breathing. Over time, the biggest health value may come from what laughter makes easier: connecting with other people, recovering from stress, and sticking with healthy habits.
Charles Dickens, an English writer and social critic, states, "There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."
Information Source:
https://www.northwell.edu/news/insights/what-does-laughing-do-to-your-body-and-brain
Image source: https://thewell.northwell.edu/emotional-wellness/laughter-health-benefits