Laughter is a universal human experience. We laugh when we’re happy, when something is funny, and when we’re surprised or even angry. Various studies across different fields have been conducted on laughter. Interestingly, when someone nearby laughs, we often laugh or smile along, even if we don’t know why. This phenomenon raises the question: Is laughter actually contagious?
Laughter: The Most Primitive Sound a Human Can Make
Laughter is a complex process involving various parts of the brain and body. When we laugh, our frontal lobe processes multiple information, such as sounds and images, helping to determine whether they are funny. This process triggers emotional reactions in the brain’s limbic system, which regulates emotions and stimulates the motor cortex.
We Laugh More When We’re With Others
We laugh about 30 times more with others than when we’re alone. Laughter is contagious, and hearing someone else laugh significantly increases our chances of laughing. When we laugh, more oxygen enters our body, supplying oxygen to every cell in our brain and body, making us feel better.
Laughter: The Free Cure-All
Laughter is a beautiful medicine that anyone can use for free, regardless of age or gender. It’s hard to overstate the benefits of laughter, which include reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, relieving tension, promoting the release of endorphins, and increasing resistance to pain. If you want to make the most of laughter’s healing power, it’s essential to understand and utilize its ability to connect people.
Laughter Creates Strong Bonds Between People
Laughter creates strong bonds among people. According to one study, the contagious nature of laughter demonstrates affection and a sense of belonging. Experts say that being with someone expected to be fun can trigger laughter. They also note that people are likely to laugh more and longer in groups, such as at a movie theater.
What If You’re Always Trying to Appear Cheerful?
Some people hide their sadness and always appear cheerful, which can lead to a condition known as “smiling depression” or “smile mask syndrome.” This can occur when the pressure to maintain good interpersonal relationships and always appear cheerful conflicts with how a person feels. It’s commonly seen in people working in emotional labor or office environments.
Smile Mask Syndrome or Masked Depression
Smile mask syndrome, also known as masked depression, is a condition in which a person cannot express sadness or anger, leading to physical and mental symptoms. If left untreated, it can even lead to suicidal thoughts, so it’s essential to pay attention to it. According to one survey, 18.1% of office workers reported experiencing this syndrome.
What About Laughter That Comes Out Unintentionally?
You might have pathological laughter if you find yourself laughing repeatedly without intending to. The neural circuitry that makes people laugh involves the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum, the pons and midbrain in the brainstem, and the muscles of the face. Pathological laughter can occur if there’s a problem in this neural circuitry. Pathological laughter often occurs with various neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.
Laughter Promotes Positive Thinking
When we experience stress, our bodies instinctively want to flee. In these situations, laughter can help us see problems more positively, making stressful situations seem less threatening. Not only does laughter help us see things more positively, it also alleviates pain, brings great joy, and boosts our immune system.
Can Forced Laughter Be Helpful?
Whether it’s a hearty laugh or a slight smile, any laughter triggers the release of the same hormones. This is because our brains can’t distinguish between real and fake laughter. Even forcing a laugh can help relax the body, improve circulation, and trigger the release of endorphins. If you want to use laughter effectively, it’s crucial to develop a habit of laughing regularly.
Laughter Is Contagious Even Among Animals
The contagion of laughter isn’t just a human phenomenon. It’s also been observed in primates like chimpanzees and gorillas. This contagious reaction represents the most direct form of communication between brains. Interestingly, laughter and yawning are contagious, and the reason for this contagion is thought to be empathy, according to most research results.
By. Jeon Shin Young Jeon
Most Commented