Laugh Your Way to Better Health: The Surprising Science Behind How Humor Impacts Your Brain and Body
Laughter is a powerful force. It can bring people together, ease tension, and even relieve pain. But have you ever wondered why we laugh, and what happens in our brains and bodies when we do? In this article, we'll explore the science of laughter, and how humor affects us in more ways than one. First, let's talk about what happens in our brains when we laugh. When we find something funny, our brain's reward system is activated, releasing dopamine and other feel-good neurotransmitters. This is why we feel pleasure when we laugh - our brains are literally rewarding us for finding something enjoyable. But that's not all that's happening in our brains when we laugh. Studies have shown that humor also activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for executive functions such as planning, decision-making, and working memory. This suggests that humor not only makes us feel good, but it also engages our cognitive processes and helps us think...