Your Brain On... Comedy
Laughter predates language. But what’s the neurological function of humor? Why do we find things funny?
Your brain’s ability to perceive and create comedic ideas is one of the most powerful facets of the human experience. Through humor and laughter, we can find shared understanding across the boundaries of cultures, languages, and ideologies.
In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON...’, we discuss:
• Why we evolved the ability to laugh
• The ‘benign violation theory’ — the most prevalent hypothesis for the function of humor
• Why we find some things funny, and some things not
• How some comedians use humor as a form of therapy
• The nervous disorders underpinning involuntary bursts of laughter
This episode, we’re joined by:
CALEB WARREN, a primary contributor of the Humor Research Lab (HuRL) at the University of Colorado, and a key pioneer of the Benign Violation Theory, which he speaks about in this episode.
JESSICA PORTER, an hilarious comedian who uses humor both for performances and for therapy. Jessica shares some fascinating ideas about comedy as a tool for communication and growth.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... COMEDY’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 2
LINKS
The Humor Research Lab at University of Colorado: https://humorresearchlab.com/
Jessica Porter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_porter_standup
Jessica’s podcast, Sleep Magic: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-magic-sleep-hypnosis-meditations/id1650407051
FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
Your Brain On
A podcast about the neuroscience of everything. From neurologists, researchers, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, explore every aspect of our world through a neuroscientific lens, with science-based stories, interviews, anecdotes, and brain health facts. Equip yourself with neurologically sound answers to life’s everyday health questions and learn the essentials of brain health and optimization, one topic at a time.
- No. of episodes: 54
- Latest episode: 2025-07-23
- Health & Fitness Science
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