STEAM PROJECT
Tickling Your Funny Bone: Turning Giggles into Action!
Michelle D. Dunham
University of Fairbanks, Alaska
Biology 111 – Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
Instructor: Don Larson
July 21, 2024
Tickling Your Funny Bone: Turning Giggles into Action!
A Sheep, a Drum and a Snake… jump over a cliff.
Bah, Dummp, Tssss….
Gut busting, tear inducing laughter! I grew up with a Dad that was part Chevy Chase, and part Steve Martin, and I believe invented the ‘dumb dad joke.’ As a child, we never question the source of our emotional response to being tickled, or seeing or hearing something funny that produces a laugh. However, the truth has been partly revealed, in that there is no scientific consensus on the WHY we laugh? Why do we interpret anything as funny and respond in such hilarious ways?
Well, I can’t answer that question, and many in science have hypothesized. At least allow me to describe the where and how these answers begin… With Action Potential!!! (Super Hero music plays)
THE ACTION POTENTIAL!
Action potentials (AP) are critical for the release and function of neurotransmitters involved in laughter. When a neuron is stimulated by a humorous stimulus, an action potential is generated, traveling along the axon to the synaptic terminal. This electrical impulse causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open, allowing Ca²⁺ ions to enter the synaptic terminal. The influx of calcium ions triggers the fusion of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins into the synaptic cleft.
Once released, these neurotransmitters bind to their respective receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, modulating its activity and contributing to the overall experience of laughter. For example, dopamine enhances the feeling of pleasure, serotonin improves mood, and endorphins induce euphoria and pain relief. The interplay between action potentials and neurotransmitter release is fundamental to the neural communication that underlies the emotional and physiological responses associated with laughter. (Barnett M., et. al. 2007)
So how do laughter and action potential correlate with our neurotransmitters evolving into the sounds and muscular contractions we experience? Not to mention the emotional “high” we feel as soon as we can breathe, the stomach cramps ease, and we mop up the pee on the floor? Let’s dig into five of the specific neurotransmitters involved.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS:
Dopamine
Dopamine is involved in the brain’s reward pathways, promoting feelings of pleasure and happiness. When something funny is perceived, dopamine release increases. This enhances the transmission of action potentials in the reward pathways, reinforcing the pleasurable sensation of laughter. (Watson, et. al. 2024) Think about it. Do you feel better or worse after you laugh?
Serotonin
Serotonin helps regulate mood and emotional state. Increased serotonin levels can stabilize mood and promote positive feelings. Action potentials in serotonergic pathways help propagate these mood-enhancing effects, contributing to the overall experience of joy during laughter. (Bamalan O., et. al. 2023)
Endorphins
Endorphins are natural painkillers that also produce euphoria. The release of endorphins during laughter leads to a sense of well-being. Action potentials in neurons releasing endorphins enhance the overall feeling of happiness and reduce stress. (Watson, et. al. 2024)
Cortisol
Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” plays a significant role in the body’s response to stress. It is produced by the adrenal glands and is involved in various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune response, and regulation of blood pressure. When we laugh, the levels and activity of cortisol in the body are reduced in ways that contribute to the stress-relieving and health-promoting effects of laughter. (Thau L, et. al. 2023)
Oxytocin
Oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” is associated with social bonding and positive interactions. During social laughter, oxytocin levels rise, promoting feelings of trust and bonding. Action potentials in oxytocinergic pathways facilitate these social and emotional responses, enhancing the communal aspect of laughter. (Jodi B., et. al. 2015) I believe most people prefer a partner that can make them laugh, and laugh with them in turn.
When this system breaks down, what happens then? If even one of the above neurotransmitters fails, many different scenarios can unfold. One article linked the effects of deficits in dopamine release related to Parkinson’s Disease. (Kaitlyn M., et. al. 2023). Too much to cover here, but only encourage a good read.
In conclusion, laughter involves an intricate interplay between various brain regions and neurotransmitters, facilitated by the precise mechanism of action potentials. This complex process not only generates the physical act of laughing but also promotes emotional and social well-being through the release of key neurotransmitters. Understanding the neuroscience of laughter underscores its significance in human experience and mental health. Maybe if our leaders could spend more time laughing together, they may finally see the folly of their ways… jussayin’
REFERENCES:
Anatomy and Physiology 2e. Course Textbook, Chapter 12.4, The Action Potential
Bamalan OA, Moore MJ, Al Khalili Y. Physiology, Serotonin. [Updated 2023 Jul 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545168/
Dunbar, R. I. M., Baron, R., Frangou, A., Pearce, E., van Leeuwen, E. J. C., Stow, J., Partridge, G., MacDonald, I., Barra, V., & van Vugt, M. (2012). Social laughter is correlated with an elevated pain threshold. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 279(1731), 1161–1167. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41412067
Gerloff, P. (2011, June 21). You’re Not Laughing Enough, and That’s No Joke. Psychology Today. Retrieved July 21, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-possibility-paradigm/201106/youre-not-laughing-enough-and-thats-no-joke
Grider MH, Jessu R, Kabir R. Physiology, Action Potential. [Updated 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538143/
Jodi B. Zik, David L. Roberts, The many faces of oxytocin: Implications for psychiatry, Psychiatry Research, Volume 226, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 31-37, ISSN 0165-1781, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.048.
Kaitlyn M L Cramb, Dayne Beccano-Kelly, Stephanie J Cragg, Richard Wade-Martins, Impaired dopamine release in Parkinson’s disease, Brain, Volume 146, Issue 8, August 2023, Pages 3117–3132, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad064
Provine, Robert. (2000). Laughter: A Scientific Investigation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232489851_Laughter_A_Scientific_Investigation/citation/download
Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/
Watson, S. (2024, April 18). Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved July 21, 2024, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure
Wild, Barbara, Frank A. Rodden, Wolfgang Grodd, Willibald Ruch, Neural correlates of laughter and humour, Brain, Volume 126, Issue 10, October 2003, Pages 2121–2138, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awg226
Zauli, F. M., Del Vecchio, M., Russo, S., Mariani, V., Pelliccia, V., d’Orio, P., … Caruana, F. (2022). The web of laughter: frontal and limbic projections of the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by cortico-cortical evoked potential from sites eliciting laughter. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 377(1863). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0180 (Original work published November 7, 2022)
DUMB BIOLOGY JOKES:
What do you call an organic compound with an attitude?
A-mean-o acid.
— — — — — — —
Y’all want to hear a potassium joke?
K.
— — — — — — —
Biology is the only science where multiplication is the same thing as division.
— — — — — — —
Two blood cells met and fell in love. Sadly, it was all in vein.
— — — — — — —
A couple of biologists had twins…
They named one Jessica and the other Control.
— — — — — — —
What did the endoplasmic reticulum say to the Golgi?
“I like your body,” it said.
Golgi replied, “It’s complex.”
Michelle Dunham
ABSTRACT
Michelle Dunham’s project taught me a lot about why we laugh. Her project explains how scientists understand why we feel the way we do, but not why we actually laugh and make noise. I have never put too much thought into it, I assumed the reason we feel the way we do after laughing is because of dopamine, however her project taught me that it is more complicated than just dopamine, other neurotransmitters are involved. Her project explains that we feel the way we do when laughing because action potential is triggered when neurons are stimulated by humorous stimuli. This action potential then travels along the axon of the neuron to the synaptic terminal, where it opens voltage-gated calcium channels that allow calcium ions to enter the synaptic terminal, which causes neurotransmitter-containing vesicles to bind to the presynaptic membrane and releases neurotransmitters. She goes on to explain that these neurotransmitters include dopamine, which promotes feelings of pleasure, serotonin, which regulates mood and promotes positive feelings, endorphins, which are natural pain killers, cortisol, which controls stress, and lastly oxytocin, which promotes feelings of trust and bonding. All of these except cortisol are increased when laughing. Cortisol levels are decreased making you feel relaxed. Michelle Dunham accompanied her speech with painted cards. She drew a stick of TNT to represent action potential and painted a picture of neurons to show neurons. She also painted images to represent the different neurotransmitters. For dopamine she painted a smiley face, for serotonin she drew positive and negative signs, for endorphins she painted a part of the skin with the word pain and an arrow to represent the decrease in pain, for cortisol she painted the words “stress” and “relax” and drew arrows corresponding with which increases and which decreases, and finally for oxytocin she painted a heart to represent it being called the “love hormone”.
I would like to add that I enjoyed the jokes and found them very entertaining, especially the biology jokes they made me laugh.
Posted by 
STEAM PROJECT
Tickling Your Funny Bone: Turning Giggles into Action!
Michelle D. Dunham
University of Fairbanks, Alaska
Biology 111 – Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
Instructor: Don Larson
July 21, 2024
Tickling Your Funny Bone: Turning Giggles into Action!
A Sheep, a Drum and a Snake… jump over a cliff.
Bah, Dummp, Tssss….
Gut busting, tear inducing laughter! I grew up with a Dad that was part Chevy Chase, and part Steve Martin, and I believe invented the ‘dumb dad joke.’ As a child, we never question the source of our emotional response to being tickled, or seeing or hearing something funny that produces a laugh. However, the truth has been partly revealed, in that there is no scientific consensus on the WHY we laugh? Why do we interpret anything as funny and respond in such hilarious ways?
Well, I can’t answer that question, and many in science have hypothesized. At least allow me to describe the where and how these answers begin… With Action Potential!!! (Super Hero music plays)
THE ACTION POTENTIAL!
Action potentials (AP) are critical for the release and function of neurotransmitters involved in laughter. When a neuron is stimulated by a humorous stimulus, an action potential is generated, traveling along the axon to the synaptic terminal. This electrical impulse causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open, allowing Ca²⁺ ions to enter the synaptic terminal. The influx of calcium ions triggers the fusion of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins into the synaptic cleft.
Once released, these neurotransmitters bind to their respective receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, modulating its activity and contributing to the overall experience of laughter. For example, dopamine enhances the feeling of pleasure, serotonin improves mood, and endorphins induce euphoria and pain relief. The interplay between action potentials and neurotransmitter release is fundamental to the neural communication that underlies the emotional and physiological responses associated with laughter. (Barnett M., et. al. 2007)
So how do laughter and action potential correlate with our neurotransmitters evolving into the sounds and muscular contractions we experience? Not to mention the emotional “high” we feel as soon as we can breathe, the stomach cramps ease, and we mop up the pee on the floor? Let’s dig into five of the specific neurotransmitters involved.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS:
Dopamine
Dopamine is involved in the brain’s reward pathways, promoting feelings of pleasure and happiness. When something funny is perceived, dopamine release increases. This enhances the transmission of action potentials in the reward pathways, reinforcing the pleasurable sensation of laughter. (Watson, et. al. 2024) Think about it. Do you feel better or worse after you laugh?
Serotonin
Serotonin helps regulate mood and emotional state. Increased serotonin levels can stabilize mood and promote positive feelings. Action potentials in serotonergic pathways help propagate these mood-enhancing effects, contributing to the overall experience of joy during laughter. (Bamalan O., et. al. 2023)
Endorphins
Endorphins are natural painkillers that also produce euphoria. The release of endorphins during laughter leads to a sense of well-being. Action potentials in neurons releasing endorphins enhance the overall feeling of happiness and reduce stress. (Watson, et. al. 2024)
Cortisol
Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” plays a significant role in the body’s response to stress. It is produced by the adrenal glands and is involved in various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune response, and regulation of blood pressure. When we laugh, the levels and activity of cortisol in the body are reduced in ways that contribute to the stress-relieving and health-promoting effects of laughter. (Thau L, et. al. 2023)
Oxytocin
Oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” is associated with social bonding and positive interactions. During social laughter, oxytocin levels rise, promoting feelings of trust and bonding. Action potentials in oxytocinergic pathways facilitate these social and emotional responses, enhancing the communal aspect of laughter. (Jodi B., et. al. 2015) I believe most people prefer a partner that can make them laugh, and laugh with them in turn.
When this system breaks down, what happens then? If even one of the above neurotransmitters fails, many different scenarios can unfold. One article linked the effects of deficits in dopamine release related to Parkinson’s Disease. (Kaitlyn M., et. al. 2023). Too much to cover here, but only encourage a good read.
In conclusion, laughter involves an intricate interplay between various brain regions and neurotransmitters, facilitated by the precise mechanism of action potentials. This complex process not only generates the physical act of laughing but also promotes emotional and social well-being through the release of key neurotransmitters. Understanding the neuroscience of laughter underscores its significance in human experience and mental health. Maybe if our leaders could spend more time laughing together, they may finally see the folly of their ways… jussayin’
REFERENCES:
Anatomy and Physiology 2e. Course Textbook, Chapter 12.4, The Action Potential
Bamalan OA, Moore MJ, Al Khalili Y. Physiology, Serotonin. [Updated 2023 Jul 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545168/
Dunbar, R. I. M., Baron, R., Frangou, A., Pearce, E., van Leeuwen, E. J. C., Stow, J., Partridge, G., MacDonald, I., Barra, V., & van Vugt, M. (2012). Social laughter is correlated with an elevated pain threshold. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 279(1731), 1161–1167. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41412067
Gerloff, P. (2011, June 21). You’re Not Laughing Enough, and That’s No Joke. Psychology Today. Retrieved July 21, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-possibility-paradigm/201106/youre-not-laughing-enough-and-thats-no-joke
Grider MH, Jessu R, Kabir R. Physiology, Action Potential. [Updated 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538143/
Jodi B. Zik, David L. Roberts, The many faces of oxytocin: Implications for psychiatry, Psychiatry Research, Volume 226, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 31-37, ISSN 0165-1781, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.048.
Kaitlyn M L Cramb, Dayne Beccano-Kelly, Stephanie J Cragg, Richard Wade-Martins, Impaired dopamine release in Parkinson’s disease, Brain, Volume 146, Issue 8, August 2023, Pages 3117–3132, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad064
Provine, Robert. (2000). Laughter: A Scientific Investigation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232489851_Laughter_A_Scientific_Investigation/citation/download
Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/
Watson, S. (2024, April 18). Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved July 21, 2024, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure
Wild, Barbara, Frank A. Rodden, Wolfgang Grodd, Willibald Ruch, Neural correlates of laughter and humour, Brain, Volume 126, Issue 10, October 2003, Pages 2121–2138, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awg226
Zauli, F. M., Del Vecchio, M., Russo, S., Mariani, V., Pelliccia, V., d’Orio, P., … Caruana, F. (2022). The web of laughter: frontal and limbic projections of the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by cortico-cortical evoked potential from sites eliciting laughter. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 377(1863). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0180 (Original work published November 7, 2022)
DUMB BIOLOGY JOKES:
What do you call an organic compound with an attitude?
A-mean-o acid.
— — — — — — —
Y’all want to hear a potassium joke?
K.
— — — — — — —
Biology is the only science where multiplication is the same thing as division.
— — — — — — —
Two blood cells met and fell in love. Sadly, it was all in vein.
— — — — — — —
A couple of biologists had twins…
They named one Jessica and the other Control.
— — — — — — —
What did the endoplasmic reticulum say to the Golgi?
“I like your body,” it said.
Golgi replied, “It’s complex.”
ABSTRACT
Michelle Dunham’s project taught me a lot about why we laugh. Her project explains how scientists understand why we feel the way we do, but not why we actually laugh and make noise. I have never put too much thought into it, I assumed the reason we feel the way we do after laughing is because of dopamine, however her project taught me that it is more complicated than just dopamine, other neurotransmitters are involved. Her project explains that we feel the way we do when laughing because action potential is triggered when neurons are stimulated by humorous stimuli. This action potential then travels along the axon of the neuron to the synaptic terminal, where it opens voltage-gated calcium channels that allow calcium ions to enter the synaptic terminal, which causes neurotransmitter-containing vesicles to bind to the presynaptic membrane and releases neurotransmitters. She goes on to explain that these neurotransmitters include dopamine, which promotes feelings of pleasure, serotonin, which regulates mood and promotes positive feelings, endorphins, which are natural pain killers, cortisol, which controls stress, and lastly oxytocin, which promotes feelings of trust and bonding. All of these except cortisol are increased when laughing. Cortisol levels are decreased making you feel relaxed. Michelle Dunham accompanied her speech with painted cards. She drew a stick of TNT to represent action potential and painted a picture of neurons to show neurons. She also painted images to represent the different neurotransmitters. For dopamine she painted a smiley face, for serotonin she drew positive and negative signs, for endorphins she painted a part of the skin with the word pain and an arrow to represent the decrease in pain, for cortisol she painted the words “stress” and “relax” and drew arrows corresponding with which increases and which decreases, and finally for oxytocin she painted a heart to represent it being called the “love hormone”.
I would like to add that I enjoyed the jokes and found them very entertaining, especially the biology jokes they made me laugh.