Laughter...What Is It?

[Racoon]

This is in Medical Science because Laughter IS THE BEST MEDICINE!

I am very curious about the Human brain as of late (incl. Memory)

What makes something "Funny" ?
Why can Humans Laugh? as opposed to other animals not being able to do such. - another thing that seperates us from the rest of the Natural Kingdom of Life.

Everyone enjoys a good laugh. Why?
It has been proven to be an effective remedy for healing...

Is there a science to laughter? ( I think there IS a "formula" for comedy after watching the Dave Chapelle Show. )

Why are some people "funnier" than others? And Why are somethings Funny to some, yet offensive to others?

I appreciate your responses and input highly...
This is very important obviously.

[InfiniteNow]

Interesting question. I really don't know!

TheBigDog had a thread on tickling that touched on some thoughts, but laughter... hmmm. Curious.


I used to wonder why it was funny to me when somebody fell down. I was a kid, and couldn't contain myself when somebody fell down the stairs! I hated myself for this response, but it was so powerful. I'll need to chew on this for a while.

[Celeste]

Originally Posted by Racoon
Is there a science to laughter?

Most definitely. It's called Gelotology.
Several of the regions of our brain seem to be involved in laughter, but scientists have found that the limbic system seems to be the central point.
Interestingly, "the limbic system is also responsible for life essential behaviors like motivation, finding food and self preservation."

Personally, I love to laugh, and I'm more partial to "dry wit", like that of Ron White. For me, it's like a drug at times.

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

Interesting question. I really don't know!

That might be the first time I've heard that.

InfiniteNow knows at least "something" on just about Everything!
Suppose I could just do the ol' Wiki search - but that wouldn't be as much fun.

I was voted class clown in school(one year) . (but I had straight A's)
I had the girlies laughin' so hard I was in detention frequently.
Of course I had some buddies who were really funny too...
Some of the cooler teachers really enjoyed it; as long as we didin't disrupt the learning atmosphere too much.

Aaahhhhh. The older I get - The better I was!

Anyways - Celeste made a nice point in her post above.
I will look into the brain functions - but will also try to find out why people "enjoy" laughing so much.
I do not know of ANYONE who doesn't like to laugh. Even tough old buzzards.
If you can make someone laugh - ???

Thanks for the early responses guys! I figure I can bring up any topic, and the Brain Power here at Hypography will set you up with an answer and/or a direction to head!

The mind is a fascinating thing,
Racoon

[orbsycli]

i Make a Point to laugh as much as I possibly can.
I've noticed my laugh makes other people laugh
and doing so just feels so good.

If I don't laugh I die a lot.

[Racoon]

Laughter is still a bit of a mystery?
The fact that people love to laugh is not..

Here is an OK link for more information. Celeste made a great post, and more like that are encouraged.
seems Zygomatic major muscles are involved. a little neuro-muscular chemical activity perhaps??

http://people.howstuffworks.com/laughter1.htm

[InfiniteNow]

Here's another good walk through of the topic:

http://people.howstuffworks.com/laughter.htm

Many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to making and strengthening human connections.

Even nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, loses much of its oomph when taken in solitude, according to German psychologist Willibald Ruch.

[Boerseun]

Laughter is like an orgasm. It's Nature's way of rewarding you for something well done.

Think about it: Coitus is pretty much gross. If there was no such a thing as orgasm, we wouldn't be doing it. I'm not picking a girl's nose, firstly cause it's gross, and secondly it simply does nothing for me. If there was no such a thing as an orgasm, sex wouldn't do anything for me as well. So Nature invented that most brilliant of inventive inventions, the orgasm, as a way of ensuring that animals procreate.

Same with laughter. Humans are social animals, and their welfare depends on the integrity of the social fibre of the specific tribe under discussion. And laughter serves as a tool to reinforce the social structure, and the feeling of 'belonging' to a tribe.

I guess.

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

Think about it: Coitus is pretty much gross.

Well, THAT made me laugh!


It's probably one of the most beautiful things of which I can conceive... Well, that and a good beer maybe.

[Mercedes Benzene]

Well, from a chemist's perspective....
when one laughs, your body secrets endorphins and other chemical goodies that relieve stress, and just make use feel better overall. That's why sometimes when humans experience intense emotions (such as pain, or sadness) we end up laughing, even if it seems completely out of context.
Out brain "knows" what is going on and tries to cheer us up. Remember, when it all comes down to it, our bodies only care about ourselves..... if that makes sense. haha.