Laughing While High: the Fun and the Science

If you smoke weed, you’ve definitely experienced the gut-wrenching giggles that arise after a few puffs. One moment you’re cool as a cucumber, and the next, you’re in tears and gasping for air because your bestie is doing the dishes and for some reason, it’s the funniest thing in the world. But why does weed make you laugh Cannabis has been known to have various effects on the body, from heightened senses and increased appetite to anxiety relief and pain reduction. However, one of the most commonly reported effects of cannabis is laughter. Many people experience uncontrollable giggle fits when they are high, and this phenomenon has been the subject of much curiosity and investigation over the years.

With millions of people documenting their stoney adventures across the web, you may be surprised to hear there is little scientific research on the relationship between marijuana and laughter. But one thing’s for sure — there’s plenty of research backing the benefits of laughter and plenty of testimonials of people laughing while high.

So, if laughter truly is good for the soul, maybe cannabis is too. Let’s dive into the history of cannabis and laughter, some of the benefits you can reap from laughing while high and what strains can help give you an eight-minute ab workout from the comfort of your couch.

Why Does Weed Make You Laugh? The Science Behind Stoney Giggles

It’s no secret that weed can result in a serious case of giggles, but why exactly does marijuana make you laugh?

When we laugh, our brains release endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that help reduce pain and promote feelings of happiness and relaxation. These endorphins are the same chemicals that are released when we exercise, eat our favorite foods and engage in other pleasurable activities.

When you consume cannabis, THC, or the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana, interacts with the endocannabinoid system in your brain. The endocannabinoid system regulates mood, appetite and pain perception.

THC binds to receptors in the brain that are associated with pleasure and reward, enhancing the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters. These feel-good hormones put us into a more joyous and optimistic state of mind, making us more susceptible to things like laughter.

Additionally, being high can alter our brain’s perception of reality, causing even mundane things to become amusing and making us more likely to find humor in situations that we wouldn’t usually find funny.

In essence, laughter provides us with endorphins (a.k.a. feel-good hormones), and cannabis enhances those pleasurable effects.

Having Fun (with Cannabis) is Good for Your Health

The phrase “laughter is good for the soul” is proving to be much more accurate than we once might have thought. Many scientists are studying the health benefits of laughter and how they could possibly span beyond mental health and into the realm of physical ailments.

Uncontrollable laughter when you’re high puts some valuable body parts to work. Intense laughter has been shown to exercise the heart, aid in purging toxins from your tissue and lower blood pressure.

One study by Dr. William Fry, a psychiatrist at Stanford Medical School, showed that 20 seconds of deep laughter exercises the heart as much as three minutes of strenuous rowing — and the benefits don’t stop here.

What are the Benefits of Cannabis and Laughter?

The power of laughter is undeniable and a significant contributor to the appeal of consuming THC. Today, your average stoner likely won’t fit into the lazy hippie box created by prohibitionists in the 1960s. Many cannabis users these days are parents, hard-working employees and high-status business owners (pun intended). And the reason why isn’t complicated.

People are stressed out, and THC can bring immense relief from the world’s chaos. Imagine being a business owner drowning in emails and meetings all day but being able to come home, get high and laugh so hard that you forget about the daily stressors. Or a mom suffering postpartum depression who is looking for immediate relief.

Cannabis laughter is a special kind of therapy. And while it might not be recognized as such by the feds and a handful of skeptics, the government is increasingly acknowledging medicinal cannabis as a potential aid for mental health.

What Strains Might Induce Laughter?

While we can’t guarantee that every cannabis user will experience uncontrollable laughter while high, some of the strains commonly associated with weed laughter include:

• Laughing Buddha
• Amnesia Haze
• Green Crack
• Durban Poison
• Pineapple Express

It’s important to note that individual experiences with cannabis (strains) can vary greatly depending on several factors, including dosage, method of consumption and personal tolerance. It’s always best to start out with a low dose and gradually increase as needed, known as titrating.

Now that you’re ready to laugh so hard you cry tears of joy, head to your local dispensary for some Laughing Buddha. And for rugged protection that will keep it fresh and potent, be sure to store it in a CVault!