Scientific study reveals two different brain networks for laughter

A recent scientific review has revealed the existence of two different brain networks for spontaneous laughter and social laughter, which explains the difficulty in controlling it at times. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the website 'Medical Xpress' published on Wednesday the results of this review conducted by researchers from the National Research Council of Italy and University College London in the United Kingdom.

Specialized brain networks

The researchers pointed out that they reviewed studies that used electrical stimulation of different areas of the brain, and found that activating certain areas leads to spontaneous laughter, which is sometimes associated with a feeling of pleasure. Meanwhile, activating other areas produces laughter associated with speech movements, without necessarily reflecting a sense of fun.

Evolutionary and communicative mechanisms

They clarified that spontaneous laughter is linked to a brain network involved in processing emotions and producing automatic responses, which are mechanisms that evolved in mammals. Activating this network can lead to continued laughter and difficulty stopping it by willpower alone. In the same context, laughter used during conversations is linked to a network involved in controlling facial muscle movements, breathing, and producing sounds.

Complex social role

For his part, the researchers clarified that this social network helps humans utilize laughter in communication, expressing goodwill and understanding, or reducing tension. The results show that laughter is not limited to responding to funny situations, but plays a role in social communication, and arises from a complex interaction between emotions and neural processes responsible for movement and sound production.

The study added that this complex interaction explains why laughter sometimes occurs in situations where a person does not wish to laugh, emphasizing that the phenomenon results from a complex interaction between emotions and neural processes responsible for movement and sound production.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)