Study identifies two distinct brain circuits for involuntary and social laughter
By
Ana Lozano del Campo
Summary
Researchers have identified two distinct neural circuits in the brain responsible for different types of laughter: one for involuntary, spontaneous laughter (triggered by genuine amusement) and another for voluntary, social laughter (used intentionally in social interactions). The discovery was made by analyzing years of intracranial stimulation data collected over the current century. The study reveals that ancestral, involuntary laughter originates in deeper brain regions, while the purely human, socially-driven laughter involves more recently evolved cortical areas. This sheds light on the dual nature of laughter as both an ancient emotional reflex and a sophisticated social tool unique to humans.
Source
bskyStudy identifies two distinct brain circuits for involuntary and social laughtersocial.elpais.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledUna risa ancestral y otra puramente humana nacen en distintas regiones del cerebro
Identifican dos circuitos detrás de las carcajadas involuntarias y de las que emitimos con intención social analizando años de estimulación intracraneal en este siglo
Se añade así un eslabón a vuestro vínculo, sea añejo o incipiente, mediante un mecanismo espontáneo de conexión social que existe desde hace más tiempo
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