Ever wondered- why we laugh? The reasons could vary from person to person. Some laugh because they have seen or heard something funny, some laugh out of sarcasm, some laugh because one must laugh…well, there are many reasons of which some are unknown.

Most agree that we laugh when we find something humorous, yet different reasons exist for what we find to be humorous. Additionally, different things are humorous to us at different stages of life.

We won’t dig into the philosophies and intricacies of laughter by carrying out a diagnosis but try to simply understand what it is. Neuro studies confirm from a physiological standpoint that a ‘sensor’ in the brain responds to laughter by triggering other neural circuits in the brain, which, in turn, generate more laughter.

To put it simlpy, laughter is an orderly response, and almost occurs ’spontaneously’ during pauses at the end of phrases, earning it the name the punctuation effect. Human beings are the only species capable of laughter, and the average adult does so approximately 15-17 times a day.

Good health is one of the many benefits of laughter. Laughter reduces stress levels by reducing the level of stress hormones, and also helps us cope with serious illnesses.

Another benefit of laughter is that it improves our over-all mental health. Pent up negative emotions, such as anger, fear, and sadness, can cause biochemical changes in our bodies that can produce a harmful effect. It provides a harmless outlet for these negative emotions, and provides a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult or stressful situations. More reasons to laugh!