Why do we laugh, and what does it reveal about our subconscious minds?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 29 September 2026 · Updated 22 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Laughter is a powerful, mysterious emotion that manifests in delight, surprise, and even embarrassment. Beyond human humor, the phenomenon extends to rodents, raising questions about its evolutionary purpose. Why does our sense of humor vary so wildly, and how can certain drugs trigger giggles in the absence of any amusement?

Laughter remains a complex puzzle in human behavior. While we often associate it with jokes, it also serves as a response to surprise or social discomfort. Robin May, the Gresham Professor of Physic, explores the subconscious signals laughter might be intended to display. The fact that laughter is not unique to humans—as rodents also exhibit this behavior—suggests that it may be rooted in deeper biological or evolutionary mechanisms rather than just cognitive appreciation of wit.

The variability of humor is another central mystery. While individuals possess vastly different senses of humor, certain chemical interventions can induce fits of laughter regardless of the context. This suggests that the physiological pathways for laughter can be activated independently of the psychological state of finding something funny. Understanding these mechanisms requires looking at how our brains process social cues and physical stimuli, such as the involuntary reaction to being tickled.

Robin May, who was appointed to his Gresham professorship in May 2022, approaches these questions from a background in infectious disease and mammalian cell biology. His academic career, spanning institutions from the University of Oxford to the University of Birmingham, provides a unique lens through which to examine human behavior. By investigating why we laugh, we gain insight into the subconscious signals that govern our social interactions and the biological imperatives that might have driven the development of this universal human trait.

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