This Is What Comedy Does to Your Brain

Does your doctor know anything about this? And prescribe you comedy movies and CDs and comedy theaters? Or are you going to have to self-treat yourself in violation of practicing medicine without a license as compared to your doctor practicing medicine without knowledge? Your choice, violate the law and possibly get better or do nothing.

This Is What Comedy Does to Your Brain

Comedy can lift your spirits and make the world seem a little more tolerable when times are tough. But what’s the physical and psychological science behind how comedy affects us?

We asked Scott Weems, Ph.D., cognitive neuroscientist and author or “Ha!: The Science of When We Laugh and Why,” and Caleb Warren, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Arizona and assistant professor at the Humor Research Lab, for their insights on some of the serious ways funny business can impact our bodies and minds.

1. Comedy is actually good for your body.

2. Comedy is also good for your mental well-being — most of the time.

3. Funny people can seem — or really be — depressed.

4. We think something’s funny when it’s so wrong it feels so right.

5. This may be because the brain processes comedy like a conflict.

Details at link.