THE uncontrollable urge to laugh during a serious moment is something most of us have experienced at some point in our lives.
Now scientists are trying to get to the bottom of this conundrum and figure out the best way to keep a straight face during inappropriate moments of amusement.
Trying to suppress a giggle can actually intensify the urge, a team of researchers from University of Gottingen in Germany pointed out.
To find out what one should do in this scenario, the team ran three experiments with a total of 21 participants, who listened to jokes while facial electromyography recorded tiny muscle reactions involved in smiling and laughter.
The subjects were instructed to either focus on a colourful wallpaper as a distraction, suppress their facial expressions or to use a method called reappraisal, which meant reinterpreting the jokes in a less amusing way.
It turns out that the latter option - mentally reframing a funny situation - was the best way to put a lid on laughter.
However, the researchers did admit that this all goes out the window if the scenario includes another person who also cannot control their laughter!
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