The Secret of Laughter

by
Anthony M. Ludovici
Constable & Co Ltd
London
1932
- p. 5 Preface
Although, in effect, a new theory of laughter has emerged from the present essay, this was not so
much its original object as was the fresh investigation and vindication of a very old theory of
laughter which, so it seemed to the author, had too consistently been given scant justice
especially by Anglo-Saxon scholars, writers and critics.
If the reader will only agree to examine this old theory afresh under the author's guidance, it
is hoped that he will find, not only that it has been too hastily set aside as inadequate, but also
that the discoveries made in the closer consideration of its merits have provided the basis for a
more comprehensive and therefore more satisfactory explanation of the phenomenon of laughter
than has yet been achieved.
Those who are familiar with Darwin's Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals will
remember that in the chapters of the book in which he deals with the question of laughter he was
evidently at great pains to dispel the popular and scientific belief that laughter is a purely human
expression. As an evolutionist, he was naturally more puzzled than a non-evolutionist would
have been by the fact that laughter should suddenly have made its appearance in Man without
leaving any traces of its gradual development in those higher animals most closely related to
him. To meet the difficulty he therefore advanced one or two somewhat unconvincing reasons for
believing that laughter was actually found in certain higher animals, reasons which I cannot help
thinking are based upon the incurable
- p. 6 anthropomorphism of the class of men from whom he obtained some of his information.
The theory expounded in this book, however, makes the evolution of laughter perfectly
clear, and accounts quite satisfactorily for the fact that, as an expression of joy and pleasure, it
should be found only in Man.
This is an age in which laughter and all the means of provoking it stand very much higher
than they have ever stood before in public esteem, more particularly in Anglo-Saxon countries. It
can hardly be said, therefore, that the subject is uninteresting or untopical; and, seeing that
hitherto no satisfactory and all-embracing theory of laughter has been discovered, it is hoped
that, in spite of its many unpalatable aspects, and the many idols it demolishes, this new theory
may be given at least the serious consideration which has been accorded to many of its
predecessors.
The author has carried the theory about in his mind for many years, lecturing upon it and

discussing it with all sorts and conditions of men. But it was only after wide reading, mature
reflection and the careful consideration of much bitter criticism received from audiences at
lectures, scholars, psychologists, offended humorists and, above all, women, that he decided to
record it in book form, as hitherto it had seen the light only in a brief outline published in The
Referee of December 30th, 1928. The first suggestion that the theory of laughter here fully
expounded should be made accessible to a wider audience than any the author could hope to
meet at lectures and debates, was made by the members of the English Mistery, before whom a
paper on the Secret of Laughter was read by the author on December 8th, 1931.
http://www.anthonymludovici.com/sl_pre.htm

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who provided me the possibility to
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Feeling rundown? Try laughing more. Some researchers think laughter just might be the best
medicine, helping you feel better and putting that spring back in your step.
"I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off," says Steve
Wilson, MA, CSP, a psychologist and laugh therapist. "They might be healthier too."
Yet researchers aren't sure if it's actually the act of laughing that makes people feel better. A good
sense of humor, a positive attitude, and the support of friends and family might play a role, too.
"The definitive research into the potential health benefits of laughter just hasn't been done yet,"
says Robert R. Provine, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Maryland,
Baltimore County and author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation.

But while we don't know for sure that laughter helps people feel better, it certainly isn't hurting.
Laughter Therapy: What Happens When We Laugh?

We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body,
our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.
People who believe in the benefits of laughter say it can be like a mild workout -- and may offer
some of the same advantages as a workout.
"The effects of laughter and exercise are very similar," says Wilson. "Combining laughter and
movement, like waving your arms, is a great way to boost your heart rate."
One pioneer in laughter research, William Fry, claimed it took ten minutes on a rowing machine
for his heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minute of hearty laughter.
And laughter appears to burn calories, too. Maciej Buchowski, a researcher from Vanderbilt
University, conducted a small study in which he measured the amount of calories expended in
laughing. It turned out that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.
While the results are intriguing, don't be too hasty in ditching that treadmill. One piece of
chocolate has about 50 calories; at the rate of 50 calories per hour, losing one pound would
require about 12 hours of concentrated laughter!
Laughter's Effects on the Body

In the last few decades, researchers have studied laughter's effects on the body and turned up
some potentially interesting information on how it affects us:

Blood flow. Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on

blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the
screening, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved
normally -- expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people
who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.

Immune response. Increased stress is associated with decreased immune

system response, says Provine. Some studies have shown that the ability to
use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and
boost the levels of immune cells, as well.

Blood sugar levels. One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the
effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a
tedious lecture. On the next day, the group ate the same meal and then
watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels
than they did after the lecture.

Relaxation and sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began
with Norman Cousin's memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was
diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a
diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera,
helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two
hours of pain-free sleep.

http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter

Whether you're guiltily guffawing at an episode of "South Park" or quietly giggling at the latest
New Yorker cartoon, laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that's
no joke.

Stress relief from laughter

A good sense of humor can't cure all ailments, but data are mounting about the positive things
laughter can do.
Short-term benefits
A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your
load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:

Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air,

stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that
are released by your brain.

Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and
then cools down your stress response and increases your heart rate and
blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.

Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle
relaxation, both of which help reduce some of the physical symptoms of
stress.

Long-term effects
Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long haul.
Laughter may:

Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical

reactions that can impact your body by bringing more stress into your system
and decreasing your immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts actually release
neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.

Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its
own natural painkillers. Laughter may also break the pain-spasm cycle
common to some muscle disorders.

Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope

with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relief/SR00034
http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0803-humour.html
http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm