Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around health and wellbeing. In this episode, the Doctors turn their attention to laughter. You’ve probably heard the phrase 'laughter is the best medicine', but have you ever wondered if there’s actually any science behind that? Can a good belly laugh really help with stress, pain, or even your immune system? How does it help to improve our relationships? And why do we laugh at all - even when nothing’s particularly funny?To find out, Chris and Xand sit down with Professor Sophie Scott CBE, a leading expert in the neuroscience of laughter from University College London.If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Professor Sophie Scott
Producer: Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower 
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby
At the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith 
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around health and wellbeing. In this episode, the Doctors turn their attention to laughter. You’ve probably heard the phrase 'laughter is the best medicine', but have you ever wondered if there’s actually any science behind that? Can a good belly laugh really help with stress, pain, or even your immune system? How does it help to improve our relationships? And why do we laugh at all - even when nothing’s particularly funny? To find out, Chris and Xand sit down with Professor Sophie Scott CBE, a leading expert in the neuroscience of laughter from University College London. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Sophie Scott Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Will laughter help you live longer?

In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there.When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives?Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live.From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health.Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same.Email: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk
Whatsapp: 08000 665123A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Science

Health & Fitness

Nature

In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives? Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live. From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health. Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same. Email: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk Whatsapp: 08000 665123 A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Share Will laughter help you live longer?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Will laughter help you live longer?

Will laughter help you live longer?

More shows like What's Up Docs?

Woman's Hour

Desert Island Discs

Inside Health

Age Better with Liz Earle

The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Sliced Bread

The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley

Life Changing

ZOE Science & Nutrition

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

Begin Again with Davina McCall

Complex with Kimberley Wilson