I’m scrolling through my phone when a friend sends me a meme. “Hahaha I’m dying,” I reply, chucking in a couple of emojis for good measure all without cracking a smile. It’s the reality of being an internet goblin, laughing at everything and nothing.
The benefits of a good IRL laugh far surpass the fleeting nature of memes, Tik Toks and tweets. They are physiological, psychological and psychosocial. Studies indicate a strong correlation between laughter and the release of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin – need science to prove the power of laughter. It’s visceral. We feel it in our bones. Just watch a video of a baby laughing and tell me you don’t feel something. Hell, even I do and I’m dead inside.
