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laughter

·November 11, 2023·5 min read

Brain’s Laughter Circuit: Unraveling Humor’s Neural Pathways

Recent neuroimaging research has delineated the distinct brain processes involved in understanding and enjoying humor. The study demonstrates the involvement of the dorsal striatum (DS) in humor comprehension and the ventral striatum (VS) in humor appreciation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 26, 2023·5 min read

A Laugh a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

Laughter doesn't only help bring people together, it can be great therapy for those suffering from depression, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 25, 2022·5 min read

Why Do We Laugh? New Study Considers Possible Evolutionary Reasons Behind This Very Human Behaviour

Researchers say laughter may have been preserved by natural selection to assist with human survival.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 29, 2020·5 min read

Laughing Is Good for Your Mind and Your Body, Here’s What the Research Shows

Researchers investigate how laughter improves both mental and physical well-being.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 30, 2020·3 min read

Laughter Acts as a Stress Buffer, and Even Smiling Helps

Laughing and smiling more might help to buffer against the effects of stress, researchers report.

This shows a man and child on space hoppers

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 25, 2019·5 min read

The unbeatable lightness of being

Finding humor in life can help to improve happiness and reduce stress.

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·July 22, 2019·3 min read

Canned laughter works and makes ‘dad jokes’ funny

Canned laughter tracks increase how funny we find a joke and how much we laugh, even when the jokes are groan-worthy. Testing the hypothesis on both neurotypical people and those on the autism spectrum, researchers found the effect was universal.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 4, 2019·6 min read

Laughter May Be the Best Medicine…For Brain Surgery

Stimulating the cingulum bundle during neurosurgery where people are awake results in immediate laughter, followed by a sense of calm and happiness in patients, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2018·3 min read

Can Laughter Make Our Lives Better?

Researchers report humor can be good in certain situation, but its effectiveness depends on your end goals.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 28, 2017·5 min read

For Boys At Risk of Psychopathy, Laughter Isn’t So Contagious

According to a new study, boys who show behaviors consistent with psychopathic traits report they did not want to join in with laughter as much as their peers. Additionally, neuroimaging revealed reduced response to the sound of laughter in areas of the brain associated with emotional perception.