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Jul 15, 2007

"What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul." --Yiddish Proverb

What Makes Us Laugh & Why?

What does it take to be funny? The question is simple, but the answer is not, as attested to by legions of scientists trying to pinpoint the brain's "laugh zone" and decipher how wit works. Humor research remains a fast-growing area of inquiry, with neurologists mapping areas of the brain that oxygenate to register and respond to puns, slapstick and other forms of wit. The solution potentially carries a big payoff: Social scientists and surveyors have long documented that people who are perceived as witty, clever and funny are destined for popularity and greater success in work and relationships. What's more, scientists report that a robust sense of humor speeds healing and reduces the risk of suicide, depression and heart disease.