#6: guffaw, chortle, cackle, howl, titter, chuckle, LAUGH

I don’t care where you are or what situation you are currently in. I ask you to simply let out a hearty laugh.

Done? Good.

Think about the way you’re feeling in the aftermath of this. That laugh may not have been because of something funny or lighthearted, but I know that you have instantly begun feeling ten times better. Vidhi, are you a witch? I’ve always been fascinated with the topic of potions and brews, but I’m no witch. This is what scientists like to call, “the anatomy of a chuckle”. 

Now this is where I boast about my incredibly knowledge of the human brain: 

When something is funny, the frontal cortex of the brain will send a bunch of neurological responses throughout the body. One of these commands hits the amygdala, thalamus, and hypothalamus. These are parts of the brain that are involved in emotion-regulation, among other things. These parts then trigger an endorphin rush, responsible for making a laugh feel so good. Then, the hypothalamus will command the pituitary and adrenal glands to dip cortisol and epinephrine (stress hormones). 

So, a laugh is basically a self-induced rush? Who needs drugs when you can just LAUGH? Yes, drugs can help reduce the effects of mental illnesses and loss, but laughing is a simple and MUCH healthier alternative! 

There you have it! That’s where the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” came from. Take some time today, and just let out one large... guffaw?

 

And now... for my favorite picture (i hope this makes you smile):