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The Good and Bad Sides of Laughter



Laughter is the best medicine. We usually hear this statement from time to time. This statement is used by many in order encourage one to laugh, believing that laughter indeed can boost health and well-being. While many people think that laughing always brings positive things to people, scientists argue that such is not correct all the time. This is because science has proven that laughter is not always good. There is also a dark side to it. Ready to debunk your “laughter is the best medicine” belief? Read further. 

When you hear a person laughs, we usually think of him feeling happy that time. But, what if you hear someone laughing right in the midst of a friend’s funeral? Suddenly, the thought of laughter being the best medicine ceases to be true. 

The Three Types of Laughter

Scientists have classified laughter into three different types. The first one is the type of laughter that is genuine. This is the kind of laughter you hear from a genuinely happy individual. The second kind of laughter is stimulated such as the one triggered by tickling. The third type of laughter is the one which is fake. Fake laughter is not brought about by feelings of happiness. People who take drugs usually manifest fake laughter. This is also the same kind of laughter that is done to mock or humiliate other people. 

How Laughter Leads to Prosocial Mentality

Laughter is known to work wonders in promoting adaptive social skills. It develops one’s sense of appreciating humor. It is both an emotional and a cognitive function. However, the ability to laugh is not exclusive to human beings. Apes also enjoy moments of laughter with their fellow apes. Laughter promotes social skills as it enhances one’s ability to bond with other people. It dissipates any signs of conflict. It also staves off any signs of anxiety and depression. But, when a solitary individual laughs, it could signal ominous connotations. 

Laughter does a great job of overriding any other emotions. This means that no individual can be angry and laugh at the same time. This is because laughter can hijack facial muscles and vocal architecture. Therefore, instead of being angry, a person moves his facial muscles as he laughs. 

When Laughter Becomes a Part of a Disorder

But, laughter can also involve uncontrolled emotions that are unsettling. This is the kind of laughter characterized by uncontrollable outbursts that are often exhibited along with crying. This is the type of laughter that represent a distressing disorder. 

This condition is brought about by a gap between the frontal pathways in the brain that regulate emotional drives and its circuits that govern emotional and facial expression. This disorder is common among people who suffered a brain injury. The same behavior is also observed among individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, stroke and Alzheimer’s. Another study also suggests that laughter brought about by a twisted sense of humor, which usually occurs at inappropriate times could indicate early onset of dementia. 

The Good Side of Laughter

We cannot deny the fact that laughter elicits positive emotions. We feel so much better right after having a hearty laugh either with a good friend or after watching a funny movie. When we laugh, there is that feeling of warmth and positivity that words cannot explain. Scientists are still in the process of discovering the exact mechanisms behind laughter and why or how it induces certain feelings and emotions. But, a lot of experts agree that laughter indeed can boost cardiovascular health, enhance immune system function and improve endocrine health. 

Studies also reveal that laughing, when done with someone else can have deeper emotional depth compared to the act of laughing to other people. This explains why laughing can have potent effects on the body. It increases serotonin levels while also improving mood and resilience. 

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