LAUGHING IS HEALTHY: ALL ABOUT THE UNCONTROLLABLE CANNABIS LAUGH KICK

Giggle, roar with laughter, being corny, anyone who has ever used weed will certainly have experienced the fits of laughter that go along with it. It doesn't take much to be all over with laughter when you're high. It's a great feeling when you're with others and have a good laugh together. But why does everything seem so damn funny when you're using weed? Is that because of the cannabis or because you are with others? And is the happiness caused by marijuana still good for anything? Read below the benefits of cannabis.

Fun and healthy: laughing together

If you think about it, cannabis isn't the only intoxicant that affects your mood. Alcohol, opiates and mind-altering opiates can also cause feelings of joy and euphoria, including the well-known fits of laughter. Laughter is a fundamental part of our way of communicating, which helps us express ourselves. We use it even without being aware of it. A smile arises spontaneously, we don't even think about it.

Laughter is therefore a way of communicating, and that is why it is something you do when you are together with others. The probability of getting laughs is 30 times greater in a social situation than when alone. Research shows that children (aged 2.5 to 4 years) laugh 8 times more often when they watch a cartoon with another child. It doesn't even matter whether they find the cartoon funny or not. It is a fact that laughter is contagious!

And not only that. The statement that laughter is healthy is also based on truth. The Mayo Clinic has listed what laughter is all about: relieving stress, more oxygen for your organs, relieving pain and improving your immune system.

The funny thing is that laughter lasts for a long time. Time alone has been noticed by scientists, but not much research has been done into the mechanism behind it. And that while laughter so healthy and that understanding of this phenomenon can help treat conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. But what about weed and laughter?

The positive effect of cannabis on mood

Cannabis has a positive effect on your mood: on the one hand side it promotes feelings of euphoria, well-being, cheerfulness and thus you will laugh more often. On the other hand, feelings of anger and hostility diminish. Only sarcasm is an exception, which can sometimes increase after using weed. Why is cannabis so happy and can cause fits of laughter? That's actually not entirely clear yet.

Cannabis contains phytocannabinoids, such as THC and CBD. Our body also produces cannabinoids, these are endocannabinoids. These substances work together with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which regulates all kinds of processes in the body. Examples include the immune system, sleep-wake rhythm, blood pressure and emotions. The endocannabinoids are the messengers of the ECS and make contact with the receptors of cells. Phytocannabinoids can also do this and can thus influence a large number of processes.

These cannabinoid receptors are found in high concentrations in the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system in the brain. Certain parts of the limbic system, such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and thalamus, are involved in laughter. This is the oldest part of the brain and is believed to be involved in the emotional response to a humorous stimulus.

Researching weed laughter

There have been some studies on the effects of cannabis on mood. In 2005 scientists investigated the effects of cannabis on neurogenesis (the formation of new nerve cells) in the hippocampus. Neurogenesis may be related to improved mood and a sense of relaxation, according to researchers. Cannabis can stimulate neurogenesis and thus influence emotions and cause fits of laughter.

Also via the neurotransmitters, cannabis can have a positive effect on your mood. THC stimulates receptors in the brain to produce neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. These substances are known for the feelings of happiness, euphoria, contentment and happiness they cause. They make you feel cheerful. As a result, weed can also lower the barrier to finding something funny and often cause fits of laughter.

Laughter is generally done together. It is precisely in social circumstances that situations or conversations arise that make you laugh. In addition, seeing the pleasure of others makes you feel pleasure too. That is an important reason that cannabis users like to use weed together.

Always keep smiling

It is of course great that you can lie down laughing all the way through weed. Your worries are forgotten for a while and you surrender to feelings of happiness. But the positive effects of cannabis can actually have health benefits. Nowadays, only the body is often treated for certain conditions. But the focus is increasingly shifting to the mental aspect. A positive attitude, and laughter in particular, can be used as a treatment for physical and mental complaints. Laughter appears to reduce your subjective perception of pain and stress. Regular laughter is therefore really good for your health.

Do you want to trigger a laugh-kick after smoking cannabis? Then read our blog about the top 10 stoner comedy movies!