Ted Audio Collective This is Ted Health and I'm Dr. Shoshana Unger.

My husband has this remarkable knack for

breath. Those are some of my most favorite memories of us together.

And that's why I was particularly drawn to Sasha Winkler's 2023 Ted Ed Lesson, which delves into the science behind laughter.

She explains what this surprisingly complex behavior suggests about human nature and our

evolutionary connections with other species. Moving beyond simple

mechanics, Sasha also explores laughter's significance in social bonding,

communication, and even health.

After all, laughter is a universal language that we all speak. Add a little curiosity into your routine with TED Talks Daily, the podcast that brings you a new

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Isn't it odd that when something's funny you might show your teeth, change your

breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry? In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is

laughter? When you laugh your abdominal muscles contract rapidly. This alters your breathing patterns,

increasing the pressure in your chest cavity, and pushing air out, which might audibly emerge

as a snort, wheeze, or vocalization.

Because you're exerting your abdominal muscles much more

than you usually would while talking,

they may start to hurt. Laughter also inhibits your reflexes and muscle control,

causing sensations like leg weakness.

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