# The science of laughter

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED-Ed
- Speaker: Sasha Winkler
- Year: 2023
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology, Psychology and the brain, Teaching and learning
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/sasha_winkler_the_science_of_laughter)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Isn’t it odd that, when something’s funny, you might show your teeth, change your breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry? In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is laughter? Since there’s no archaeological record of laughter, it’s impossible to say exactly how and why it evolved, but scientists have some theories. Sasha Winkler digs into the reflex. \[Directed by Hanna Rybak, narrated by Susan Zimmerman, music by Jarrett Farkas\].

## Lectures

1. [The science of laughter](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/sasha_winkler_the_science_of_laughter/e1b008e0b554), 6 min (TED's player)