Haha is no laughing matter
The science behind sense of humor
As a kid, I used to think humor was just an add-on to life. Now I know, it’s the main ingredient of feeling alive. Babies start developing a sense of humor as early as six weeks old. Ever heard an infant burst into uncontrollable laughter? That’s before they can even sit up! Turns out, laughter isn’t just entertainment. It’s wired into us from the very start.
And history backs this up—April Fool’s Day, for example, can be traced back to the Roman festival of Hilaria, a day dedicated to joy and absurdity. Humans have always needed humor, not just for fun but for survival.
It’s no wonder that 90% of men and 81% of women say a sense of humor is one of the most important qualities in a partner. It even plays a role in health—laughter has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, and cancer treatments, boost immunity, and even help with pain tolerance.
The contagious power of laughter
Ever notice how sitcoms like F.R.I.E.N.D.S or The Big Bang Theory wouldn’t feel the same without laugh tracks? That’s because laughter is contagious. Studies show people laugh more when they hear others laughing—whether in real life or on a screen. And while we’re 30 times more likely to laugh in the company of others, it’s worth cultivating the ability to laugh at ourselves too.
Why do we find things funny?
Although I can’t give you a formula, there are two key ingredients of humor:
A violation of a norm or expectation—but a benign one. If the violation is too extreme, it’s not funny; it’s just upsetting.
A psychological distance from that violation, in terms of space, time, or relationship. Something embarrassing today might be hilarious in a few years.
“Humor is tragedy plus time.”
—Mark Twain
I learned this firsthand as a kid when I confidently tried to buy five samosas for five paise instead of rupees. For years, it remained an embarrassing memory. Now, it’s a joke my family shares.
Humor makes us better—at work, in life, and in leadership
Think watching funny cat videos at work is a waste of time? Think again.
Studies show humor boosts productivity—people who watched a funny video before a tedious task worked twice as long as those who didn’t. Companies like Google and Zappos actively incorporate humor and playfulness into their culture because it reduces stress and boosts morale.
Stanford even offers a business course on humor for developing your leadership skills. Here’s the link if you’re curious: Stanford Humor Course. It starts in Spring, 2025.
Humor, my friend, is a serious business!
Not all humor is created equal
Humor has four main types:
Affiliative humor – jokes that build social bonds
Self-enhancing humor – a humorous outlook on life
Aggressive humor – mocking or putting others down
Self-defeating humor – making yourself the punchline too often
The first two offer the most benefits—health, social connection, and even cognitive perks.
Negative humor styles, like sarcasm and ridicule, don’t have the same effect. Instead, they can alienate people and even correlate with depression and aggression.
The brain loves laughter
Not only do funny people make others laugh, but they also laugh more themselves. Humor isn’t just a social skill; it’s a cognitive one.
Laughter increases dopamine production, which boosts creativity, problem-solving, and memory retention. That’s why funny teachers tend to be better teachers—humor makes learning more engaging, memorable, and fun.
If you’re curious about the science of fun, I wrote about that too. You can check it out below.
The science of fun
There are things in life that we just seem to know how to do from the get-go—breathing, sleeping, feeling emotions, and yes, having fun! But here's the twist: having fun might not be as straightforward as it sounds. In fact, you might not be doing it quite right. And in doing so, you're missing out on a whole lot of…wait for it, fun!
So, are you born with a funny gene? Science says yes. Genetics plays a role. A variant of the 5-HTTLPR gene is linked to a better sense of humor, but humor is also a skill you can build. In fact, it’s a special life skill that we should all work on.
Just work on the right kind of humor. The kind that connects rather than divides. The kind that makes life lighter, even in tough times. The kind that makes you and others around you happier. ❤️
Here’s my brother and I sharing a moment of laughter.
