Why do we sometimes laugh at inappropriate times?

Let out a laugh during a funeral or when there is a minute of silence. Laugh non-stop when a friend suffers a bad fall or when we receive bad news. If this has ever happened to you, you’ve probably wondered why we sometimes laugh at inappropriate times. The answer to this question could not be more interesting.

Science tells us that we don’t know everything about the mechanism of laughter. We all take it for granted that it is that social gesture that allows us to connect with each other. Also, it is the channel that facilitates the expression of positive emotions, such as happiness, joy, surprise, joy or excitement.

However, It is important to know that laughing is key to sometimes releasing psychophysical states of great tension and anxiety. The brain turns to it as a resource for emotional catharsis. In fact, as neuroscientists say, laughter is one of the most important and unknown behaviors of human beings.

Reasons why we laugh at inappropriate times

When we laugh at inappropriate times we are aware of our distorted behavior. That is, we know that this emotional reaction is not ideal in that situation, but it still arises and in many cases it is even calming. It relaxes us for a few moments, even if we then have to deal with social confusion.

Is it some kind of temporary madness? Is there something wrong with us? The truth is that, sometimes, that unexpected and inappropriate laughter does respond to some type of psychopathology. But on average, This reaction is a psychological response to anxiety and tension. What our brain does is promote this reaction to relieve all that contained discomfort.

Therefore, that sudden laugh at the funeral or that burst of laughter when we are given bad news is nothing more than a catharsis mechanism. Thanks to this reaction we can relieve the tension of negative valence contained.

Thus, and as a curious fact, something that science often insists on is that the evolutionary origins of laughter were, in reality, more of a survival mechanism than a mere expression of enjoyment or delight. We laugh to socially connect with others and also to cancel out negatively valenced emotions.

When laughter does not promote bonding, what is it for?

Research work, such as those carried out at University College London, reminds us that Laughter is a social emotion that appears most frequently during our social interactions.. Promotes bonding, connection, affection and emotional regulation. We have all this clear.

Now, what happens when we sometimes laugh at inappropriate times and alone? This reveals to us that, indeed, laughing does not have the sole purpose of promoting human connection or bonding. It’s more, Sometimes we don’t even laugh “at something or for something”, we laugh to relieve discomfort, stress or anxiety. contained.

In fact, it has happened to all of us at some point. After spending a bad day, one of those days in which everything possible goes wrong, we come home and find the refrigerator or washing machine broken. It is what we were missing, there is no doubt; However, instead of reacting with exhaustion or greater frustration, we end up laughing out loud…

The dark side of laughter at inappropriate times

Laughter is present not only in humans. We know that it also transcends other species such as the great apes. Now, something common between us and chimpanzees or gorillas is that laughter is spontaneous and is linked to certain situations. The fact that it arises spontaneously, inappropriately and alone is something unique.

We have already pointed out that most of the time this behavior is a result of stress. However, it also has a pathological side. Research work, such as those carried out at the Aga Khan University and Columbia University, indicates that Inappropriate laughter can be the source of various neurological disorders. For example, the following:

gelastic epilepsy (the one suffered by the Joker character). Demyelinating diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis). Diseases of bulbar and pseudobulbar palsy.

Laughter has the power to override other emotions

People laugh at inappropriate moments, it is evident that it has all happened to us. This invites us to carry out an important reflection. Laughter is an essential biological, social and psychological mechanism for human beings. It helps us connect with each other and express emotions of positive valence.

However, It also has another purpose and that is to cancel or regulate these complex emotions. Anxiety, anguish, sadness, frustration, anger, stress or simple overload of thoughts can sometimes lead to involuntary and inappropriate laughter. With it, that internal tension is relieved.

Thanks to those laughs, two things happen: we experience a certain catharsis, that is, This emotional state is relieved and we become aware that there are a series of realities that we must address. That is the key, managing what hurts or worries.

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