Gelotology

Gelotology is the study of the effect of laughter on the brain and immune system. Studies show that it takes a whole brain, both right and left cerebral hemispheres to appreciate humor and to laugh. The brain function of humor is located in your right frontal lobe. Humor is the capacity to perceive or express what is funny. A sense of humor is learned in your family-of-origin—or not. It is very subjective based on each individual brain because every brain is different. An ability to understand and express humor can be suppressed in cultures or belief systems that think humor has no place in a serious lifestyle. Humor may be appreciated with or without laughter. It can also be used to trigger laughter, which provides most of the benefits.