Why does weed make you giggle?

Pretty much everyone who’s ever consumed weed has gotten the giggles at some point. Authors Jack Margolis and Richard Clorfene perhaps best explain the hilarity cannabis can induce:

“Something really funny, like listening to a good joke, can turn you into a convulsing maniac, writhing in agony and begging for help. Going out in public in this mood can be risky because of the laughter problem, as you can catch yourself laughing at people who aren’t stoned and not see what’s so amusing.” — A grass garden for kids: The Official Guide for Marijuana Users

So what is it about weed that can make everything funnier?

Laughter 101: what is it and why does it feel so good?

If you stop to think about it, laughter is a pretty wild concept. Spontaneous, unconscious and primitive, laughter erupts from deep within us and is a language we universally speak and understand. And it’s not just limited to humans. Some animals laugh too – according to some 65 different species.

Laughter has a unique social dimension. People laugh a lot more when they are with other people. We laugh thirty times more often in a social setting than when we’re alone. Also, laughter is contagious. Hearing someone else laugh can induce a fit of giggles, as anyone who’s ever heard the laughter and snorts on a comedy show can attest.

The social element of laughter appears to have multiple functions. On a personal level, laughter makes us feel good. It also promotes social bonding, strengthens relationships, and de-escalates negative situations.

It may also have health benefits: when we laugh, we breathe more deeply, stimulate our hearts, lungs, and muscles, and increase the production of feel-good endorphins released by the brain. Laughter can reduce stress, lift mood, reduce pain, and even boost the immune system. In other words, laughter can be one of the best medicines there is.

“Laughter isn’t just related to one neurotransmitter or hormone…Laughter can increase endorphins and dopamine, and slightly decrease cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine — and others,” said Dr. Codi Peterson PharmD, Pharmacist and Chief Science Officer at The Cannigma. Endorphins and dopamine make us feel happy and uplifted, while cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are produced in response to stress.

Researchers believe there are two main types of laughter: involuntary and intentional. Involuntary laughter is a reaction to an external event, such as seeing something funny and bursting out laughing.

In contrast, intentional laughter is more controlled and is often used to emphasize and keep conversations friendly. Obviously, most of us are chasing the natural high that comes from spontaneous, deep laughter.

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How can cannabis induce giggles?

Studies examining the connection between weed and laughter are few and far between. However, experts like Peterson paint a broad picture of how cannabis affects the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and other body systems to induce laughter.

“That [endocannabinoid system] is the connection between all of our different body systems,” said Peterson. The ECS interacts with our endogenous opioid system, the system responsible for producing endorphins, the body’s store of opiates that are released when we experience pain, pleasure, or laughter.

It appears that THC interacts with certain endorphin receptors, making the endogenous opioid system more sensitive, Peterson explained. In other words, THC may be more likely to make a person laugh.

Peterson suggests that cannabis may also affect oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that strongly influences social behavior. “Oxytocin is responsible for social reinforcement, or the reward for being social,” Peterson said. “In short, oxytocin promotes prosocial behaviors like smiling and laughing.”

In general, weed acts in multiple, complementary ways to create a context where laughter comes more easily. “The net effect is generally a disinhibition or a softening of our defenses,” Peterson said. “It allows us to laugh more freely and enjoy the feeling of laughter.”

It’s important to note, however, that tolerance and dosage also affect the extent to which cannabis makes us giggle, and low doses can differ from high doses. So if you’ve noticed your weed-induced giggles diminishing, it might be time for a fresh start.

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What is the endocannabinoid system and what role does it play?

Strains, Terpenes, Cannabinoids: Are Some Funnier Than Others?

While the science behind weed-induced laughter is scarce, dedicated smokers claim that some strains just seem to make you laugh more, according to reddit. Some swear by cake flavors, others prefer tangies.

According to Leafly reviewers, some of the most popular giggling strains include Blue Diesel, Chemdog, Sweet Diesel, Black Diamond, Mango Kush, Church OG, and the aptly named Laughing Buddha.

Dan Wilson, editor of Visit Hollyweed, believes the connection between cannabis and laughter is facilitated by the plant’s ability to enhance mood. Anecdotally, many consumers also point to certain terpenes that promote relaxation and a willingness to laugh. “Terpenes in cannabis may have antidepressant properties – like linalool and beta-pinene,” commented Wilson. Other stress-relieving terpenes like caryophyllene and myrcene can also elevate mood and help you feel ready for some frivolity.

However, Wilson does point out that too much THC can also lead to anxiety, which of course will dull cheerfulness. In this case, the presence of CBD can help moderate the effects of THC.

Ultimately, it is too reductionist to deduce which specific connection in the weed is the key to laughter. Instead, it’s likely that an entourage effect exists – the idea that the sum of all connections leads to certain effects. Set and setting probably also play a big part, which is why getting high in a group of friends is especially fun.

“Smoking weed has always brought people together, made them more social, and added an air of fun and happiness,” Wilson said. “It’s part of weed culture to laugh and enjoy life. The plant teaches us that.”

Emma Stone

Emma Stone is a New Zealand-based journalist specializing in cannabis, health and well-being. She has a Ph.D. in sociology and has worked as a researcher and lecturer, but prefers to be a writer. She would enjoy spending her days writing, reading, walking outdoors, eating, and swimming.

Check out Emma Stone’s articles

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