Why do tears stream down our faces when we laugh out loud? Humor is not the main reason
It has happened to you at least once that you laughed so hard that a lot of tears streamed down your face. But have you ever wondered why this happens? It seems that humor would not be the main reason.
Laughter is a natural reaction of people to funny, joyful situations. When we laugh, the brain releases endorphins, substances that relax the whole body, which is why we feel so good at that moment.
And while we may have a good laugh when we're alone, according to a scientific paper published in Cognitive Sciences, we're more likely to laugh out loud when we're in someone else's company. You may have noticed that most of the time you cried when you were around friends or when you went to a comedy show, right? But that's why tears run down your face when you laugh so heartily!
Why do you often cry tears?
Of course, laughter is contagious and often uncontrollable. Laugh especially loudly, which often brings tears to your face. But it seems that humor is not to blame for this effect, but that we feel powerless when we experience such strong emotions:
"Science doesn't have a clear answer to why people cry when they laugh," said Sophie Schott, a professor of neuroscience at University College London, Reader's Digest reported. “One hypothesis is that people produce tears when they feel helpless, and tears mark this strong emotion. But this is only a hypothesis,” the specialist said.
You may also be interested in: Laughter can do wonders for the body and soul
Whatever it is, don't worry if when you go out with friends you often find yourself laughing with tears in your eyes! According to the publication, a serious dose of laughter brings many benefits, including relieving stress and pain, improving cognitive function and maintaining heart health. What's more, inclusive laughter improves social relationships and even burns calories. Here are all the reasons why you should repeat the experience!
