Ask Dr. Universe: What happens in our brains and bodies when we hear a funny joke?


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Washington State University

Dr Universe: What happens in our brain and body when we hear a funny joke? – Candace, 13, Irvine, Calif.

Dear Candace,

When we hear a funny joke, there are a lot of different things happening in the brain and the body. My friend Paul Bolls, director of Washington State University’s Media Mind Lab, told me all about it.

Bolls said that part of the brain that “tickles” when we hear a joke is called the frontal cortex. This is an area in the front of the brain that helps understand the joke and determine if it is funny. Of course, exactly what someone finds funny depends on everything from culture to experiences in life and their own sense of humor.

“When our brains are tickled, regardless of our origins and different beliefs or what divides us, the brain processes involved in humor unite us as humans,” Bolls said. Bolls said scientists have learned more about how the brain responds to humor using MRI technology, which can capture images of people’s brains.

Scientists have observed that when a person experiences something funny, it also activates the emotional center of the brain. The emotional center includes a structure called the amygdala as well as the limbic system. Together, these different parts of the brain cause this human experience of humor.

You may have noticed that people also often have big smiles on their faces when they laugh. There are 42 muscles in the face, and laughing can give them a great workout.

Meanwhile, there’s also a chemical called dopamine at play. It’s a kind of happiness hormone that can make us feel good when we watch a silly cat video, read a hilarious meme, or hear a funny joke. .

The joke might make you laugh, but if it’s a super funny joke, you might feel your heart beat faster, tear up your eyes, or even have a hard time catching your breath. Laughter can be a whole body experience.

It can also be very good for your health. Some research has shown that laughter can decrease the number of molecules in the body that make people feel stressed. During this time, it can also increase immune cells and anti-infective antibodies which help protect people from disease.

Okay, here’s a challenge for you: try writing your own jokes. Or check out a joke book from your local library. Then test them on your friends and family and see how they react. Bolls said jokes often work best when there’s an element of surprise or when a few ideas work together unexpectedly.

Here’s a science joke to get you started. Q: How does the moon cut her hair? A: Eclip him. Bolls and I want to thank you for helping us take a step back and think of something fun. It’s always fun to study the inner workings of the brain, especially when it’s triggered by a big science question like yours.

Truly,

Dr Universe

Ask Dr. Universe is a project of Washington State University. Submit a question to [email protected].

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