Why Do We Laugh When We’re Nervous? Science Reveals What’s Really Behind This Reflex

A new look at nervous laughter suggests it’s more than just awkward behavior. It may actually be the brain’s way of regulating overwhelming emotions. Researchers say this strange reaction serves a meaningful purpose.

When emotions run high, the brain may use laughter or smiling as a coping mechanism, even when it doesn’t match how we feel inside.

Laughing in serious moments might feel out of place, but it’s more common than you think. From awkward meetings to emotional conversations, nervous laughter often surfaces when tensions run high. Scientists now believe it’s not just a social misstep but a normal, even helpful, response to stress.

When Laughter Isn’t Always About Humor

Nervous laughter is known as an “incongruous emotion,” a response that doesn’t match the situation. It often shows up in moments of discomfort, stress, or even fear. Instead of crying or freezing, your brain might hit the laugh track.

According to neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran in his book A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness, laughter may have evolved as a signal that something isn’t a threat.

“Laughter is nature's ok signal," said Ramachandran.

In stressful moments, giggling might be your brain’s way of easing tension—for both yourself and those around you. This response may also help you cope.

Some studies suggest that laughter can offer a momentary emotional reset, allowing your body to avoid emotional overload by pivoting to a more manageable response.

The Yale Study: Emotional Overflow and Dimorphic Expressions

In 2015, researchers at Yale University explored this strange emotional mismatch. Their study, published in Psychological Science, focused on what they called “dimorphous expressions,” emotions that show up in a form opposite to what you’d expect. For example, crying when you’re happy, or laughing when you’re overwhelmed.

Nervous laughter often strikes in socially tense or uncertain situations.

The researchers found that these mismatched expressions serve a purpose: they help regulate strong emotions. Laughing in stressful moments may actually be your brain’s way of bringing intense feelings, like fear or anxiety, back to baseline.

It’s not a glitch, but a kind of emotional balancing act. Rather than losing control, the nervous laugh may actually prevent you from doing so.

Medical Causes: When It’s More Than Nerves

In some cases, laughter that feels nervous or uncontrollable may be linked to medical conditions. Disorders like pseudobulbar affect (PBA) can cause sudden emotional outbursts, including laughter, unrelated to how you actually feel.

Conditions like hyperthyroidism or neurological diseases may also play a role. These affect parts of the brain responsible for emotion and impulse control, sometimes leading to inappropriate laughter.

If nervous giggles become disruptive or don’t seem to have a clear emotional cause, a doctor or therapist can help determine if something deeper is going on.

News references:

Aragón, O. R., Clark, M. S., Dyer, R. L., & Bargh, J. A. (2015). Dimorphous Expressions of Positive Emotion: Displays of Both Care and Aggression in Response to Cute Stimuli. Psychological Science, 26(3), 259-273. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614561044 (Original work published 2015)

Cherney, K. (2023, August 28). Nervous laughter: Why it happens and how to handle it. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/nervous-laughter

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