Adam Johnson on the Healthy Effects of Laughter

"The last time you walked into a room full of laughing people, you most likely searched the room for a visible source of hilarity. You may have asked someone to explain the joke. Of course, people were too busy laughing to explain it, so they gave you the usual explanation: 'You had to be there.'

"More often than not, there is no joke at all. Everyday laughter is rarely about comedy and, in fact, all about 'being there.' In the words of psychiatrist Robert Provine, laughter is a 'social vocalization that binds people together.' It does this in a variety of ways. Laughter can serve as a simple expression of recognition - for example, the 'oh, I know what you mean' laugh that we often share to create a moment of mutual understanding. We laugh courteously, apologetically, self-consciously, and often for completely mysterious reasons. But we rarely laugh when we are by ourselves.

"Laughter can come into existence with only the smallest pretext of shared experience between people. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Adam K. Johnson reflected on the healthy effects of laughter.

To access Mr. Johnson's complete essay, please visit:

Boston Pilot: Echoes: Adam K. Johnson: Laughter and health (24 MAY 19)