Laughter: what is it for and how many types of laughter are there?

There are few things that leave a better feeling than actually laughing. Traditionally associated with well-being and comfort, laughter is an element that has always been part of our way of acting and that it is an emotional expression that we share with other species such as chimpanzees.

But while we usually laugh when we feel happy and whole, we can laugh too. out of nervousness, and even in a cynical and false way because of something that hurts, outrages or us disgusting. In reality, we can laugh at many things and in very different ways. And although it is something that we see and experience very often, it is worth wondering What is laughter? what is it for? How many types are there? In this article we are going to do a brief exploration of the subject.

• Recommended article: "Laughter therapy: the psychological benefits of laughter"

Laughter: what is it?

What we understand by laughter is the union of a set of mouth and facial movements that we perform at the same time we emit. Laughing supposes an alteration of different systems such as the respiratory

(the air intake becomes irregular while the laughter lasts) and cardiac, which are stimulated by this action, while contracting and dilating a total of about fifteen muscles facials.

Blood flows to the face, reddening it to a greater or lesser extent, and if the laugh is sincere and strong, it is possible to tear or even experience gastrointestinal disturbances. Regarding the emission of sound, we emit a chain of sounds of the same tonality that repeats every 210 milliseconds.

Laughter is a physiological response that occurs as a reaction to external or internal stimulation. It is a reaction to stimulation that helps us discharge the energy caused by certain generally emotional aspects. What exactly causes laughter is analyzed and discussed, with differences depending on the type of emotional reaction that causes it.

Laughing is not something unique and specific to humans, but it has also been reflected in other primates, dogs and even rats. It generally arises at times when the subject feels well-being and enjoys the situation in which they are finds at this time, the content of the interaction or inferred aspects of their own behavior or alien.

Brain disorders during laughter

The neurological pathways that are activated during laughter can be multiple depending on the type of laugh that is being emitted, the emotions that arouse or the sincerity with which it is expressed.

If laughter is generated due to an external stimulus, such as conversation, it is first detected by Wernicke's area of ​​the left parietal to later connect with hippocampus, basal ganglia Y limbic system (in which the emotional significance of the event that will generate the laughter is evaluated). The brain reward system synthesizes and releases a torrent of dopamine if the information is valued as positive and original.

Are also generated endorphins Y oxytocin, which explains the feelings of relaxation and fullness typical of sincere laughter.

In this way, we can generally say that when it comes to laughing, the limbic system and its connection with the prefrontal cortex (which regulates social stimuli and inhibition of emotions and contributes to information processing), as well as with the basal ganglia (especially the nucleus accumbens) and in general the brain reward circuit. The primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex are also linked, although in this case the laughter is usually voluntary and forced. By last, the autonomic nervous system the responses that produce redness and tearing.

Functions and benefits of laughter

We have talked about what laughter is and brain structures that are involved in them but, Is it beneficial to us? What is the function of laughing?

The answer to the first question is yes, due to the different functions and benefits of laughing.

1. Allows the release of energy caused by emotions

We can imagine laughter as an explosive reaction, which arises more or less suddenly. The movements carried out allow emotions to be expressed and reduce the level of internal tension that they generate on the body. This is so with both positive and negative emotions.

2. Causes physical and psychic activation

Although the previous point refers to the fact that it allows energy to be released, the truth is that Another function of laughter is to provoke an increase in one's own activity.. Laughing tends to clear our minds and recharge our energy reserves, improving our mood and prompting us to act.

3. Decrease stress and pain

Laughing has been shown to increase dopamine and oxytocin levels, as well as that this action generates a significant decrease in the level of cortisol in blood. In this way, laughter reduces the level of stress and anxiety. It also reduces the level of perceived pain.

4. Improve our health

One of the many benefits of laughter is the fact that it improves our health by improve the functioning of the immune system and oxygenation capacity, stimulate our heart rate and lower blood pressure.

5. Function of adaptation to the social environment

Laughing is an act of communication that humans and most species that show the ability to do so use as a bonding mechanism. It is an action that facilitates social interaction and connection with othersThis aspect is enhanced because, being contagious, it facilitates the same emotional state in others. In addition, hormones are released that make it easier to feel good and close to the environment with which we laugh.

Within the social functions of laughter we find the fact that it allows us to get closer and encourage belonging to a group, as well as reducing the tensions between its members. It also allows conflict management in which the existing perspectives in the group on certain realities can be negotiated, shared and contrasted.

6. Generates sexual attraction

Various studies indicate that a sense of humor and the ability to laugh greatly influence whether one person is attracted to another. Usually, heterosexual men are attracted to women who tend to laugh genuinely, while females do it towards males who, although they do not have to laugh often, show a sense of humor and know how to provoke laughter.

7. It has defensive functions

Laughter also has a psychic function linked to self-defense. Through laughter the human being is able to reduce the level of fear and anxiety generated by different external or internal stimuli. It also allows us to relativize situations, and is even linked to the capacity for resilience or to overcome adversity.

It is also an element that usually arises when we become aware of a cognitive dissonance, as a mechanism to reduce the level of tension that it produces.

8. But also offensive

Although in general laughter is associated with positive feelings, We cannot ignore that on many occasions it is also used in an aggressive way to attack or control our fellow men.. It is what happens when laughter is used to mock or laugh at other people. Through laughter, an attempt by the attacker to feel superior to the attacked can be established and either to dominate the concrete situation or to reduce his own state of dissatisfaction. This can occur on a conscious or unconscious level.

Different types of laughter

There are multiple classifications when it comes to types of laughter, being able to carry out typologies depending on the level of intensity, the function they have or if the laugh in question is genuine or voluntary.

Technically hundreds of them could be described. A few are highlighted below.

1. Genuine laugh

This is the kind of natural and involuntary laugh, caused by stimulation or emotions without a target for its emission. It is the kind of laughter that generates significant benefits. It is generally linked to happiness or positive aspects.

2. Simulated laugh

It is a laugh that occurs intentionally and voluntarily. Within this group can be included social laughter. It is generally carried out when the person who broadcasts it has a specific objective, be it to belong to the group, to generate ties, to express displeasure or irony or to attack someone.

3. Social laughter

This laugh is usually a subtype of the simulated, although it can also be genuine. It is about the use of laughter as a communicative element with our peers, aimed at expressing approval or appreciation or generating ties.

4. Substance-induced laughter

Some substances, medications and drugs can induce states of happiness, well-being and expansive mood in subjects that can end up causing laughter. It is also possible that they provoke laughter without awakening positive emotions.

5. Pathological laughter

Certain neurological and / or psychiatric pathologies can occur with sudden laughter, out of place or without a reason for such laughter. It can be empty laughter of content, and unless accompanied by the appropriate emotional reaction, it does not generate health benefits.

6. Laughter provoked by tickling

Tickling, the pleasant stimulation of certain sensitive regions of our body such as armpits, feet, neck or even hands, can generate a reaction in a large number of people in the form of laughter. This type of laughter is special, since the stimuli that cause it are physical. However, it should be noted that they also occur in a context in which we are in contact with other people, generally in a playful environment (despite the fact that there are related torture).

7. Denigrating laugh

This type of laughter fulfills the function of ridiculing another person. It is a laugh provoked with a specific purpose, being generally simulated.

8. Nervous laugh

This type of laughter is usually genuine, although not due to pleasant feelings but to the need to lower the level of internal tension that the person suffers from nervousness or stress. Basically the subject laughs because he does not know how to react to a situation or what to do next.

Bibliographic references:

• Diez, S. (2005). Laughing, the best stress reliever. Mente Sana Magazine, 5; 134-136.
• Wildgruber, D.; Szameitat, D.P.; Ethofer, T.; Brück, C.; Alter, K.; Grodd, W. & Kreifelts, B. (2013). Different Types of Laughter Modulate Connectivity within Distinct Parts of the Laughter Perception Network. PLoS ONE 8 (5). e63441. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063441