Did you attend a stand up gig at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? It may have done you good!

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has drawn to a close and among the many performers who appeared there, the stand-up comedians did their best to raise a laugh from their audiences. Could the saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’ be true and are the comedic performers unaware of the medicine they are prescribing at their gigs?

What makes us smile, giggle and laugh could actually be doing us good!

Can a good laugh help our physical, mental and social health? Well actually according to many neuroscientists, yes. What makes us smile, giggle and laugh could actually be doing us good! How is that possible?

Anyone observing young children will notice that a sense of humour starts at a remarkably young age. Infants begin smiling within weeks of being born and will be laughing out loud after four months, and at the most mundane things too. For instance, infants will laugh incessantly and never tire of playing peek-a- boo with an older sibling or parent.

Toddlers will do things to make their parents laugh

Toddlers will even do things to make their parents laugh and will show their intentions in their attempt. This exchange of non-verbal communication between parent and child is not only rewarding in terms of fun, but it can also indicate to the child whether a particular situation is dangerous. When a parent laughs, they are effectively saying ‘I am laughing at this, so all is okay’. Conversely seriousness by the parent might indicate something particularly harmful.

Laughter is a non-verbal emotional response to exterior stimuli.

Laughter is a non-verbal emotional response to exterior stimuli. It is an involuntary vocalisation, just like when we scream at a large spider crawling in front of us. It is not just an expression of amusement but is an important means of social engagement and communication. It reflects the meaningfulness of the social connections which we have with others. So you are more likely to laugh in the presence of others than by yourself.  

Laughter seems to be part of the human DNA. It is theorised that, historically, in early humans, it had a bonding and social function as it does today. Physically it lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol and raises the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, both of which raise one’s feel good factor. Hence, psychologically it improves mood and lowers stress and anxiety.  

When we laugh human growth hormones also increase, which is important when we are developing during infancy and childhood but also their presence in adults is beneficial for our immune system.

Laughter can reduce tense or potentially stressful situations

Laughter can reduce tense or potentially stressful situations by saying ‘I am upset, but I am okay’. It is a means of breaking the ice in fraught encounters and gets participants on a comfortable footing. For example, couples can reduce tension and potential conflict between themselves by sharing the same sense of humour and laughing at stressful situations. In fact, in the long term, couples who laugh together are more likely to stay together.

On the negative side, laughter is elusive and can creep up on you when you least expect it. Think of stifling that inappropriate giggle or laugh at a wedding or a funeral when something was said or something happened which you found amusing!

In the end though, your own sense of humour is only right for you. It is personal and you  will not laugh if you do not want to. Common laughter will bond social groups. Shared laughter can help us physically, socially and can improve our mental health. It is also suggested that a sense of humour is predictive of an extended lifespan.

Stand up comedians note. Making people laugh is not just about telling jokes but is more likely to occur if you share amusing stories or anecdotes. This is why observational comedy is so effective; it shares a story from an ironic or humorous perspective and if the audience get it, then you have done a good job. The medicine is working!

by Ian Smith