Is Laughter Better Than Sex?
89I once had a gay boyfriend who believed he loved me because we spent every day creased over with unbridled laughter. We didn’t have sex, but we laughed so hard and so long that we almost always collapsed with a near aneurysm. He cried tears of joy during these happy episodes - a curious release. Although my love was unrequited, the relationship produced an endorphic high not unlike those of any true love affair.
And so I pose the question – Is laughter better than sex?
Here are some known facts gathered from various reputable sources, (ok, the internet), that point to reasons why it just may be so:
- Mutually shared bouts of laughter, bonds and builds a friendship.
- Laughing burns calories. A 150-pound person will burn up somewhere between 10 and 40 calories if their hysterics add up to 15 minutes a day. (Of course the same person will burn about 22 calories just by reading this hub, even if they don’t laugh at the attempted humor).
- Sex also burns calories, but it depends on the quality of the sex. Our healthy 150-pound person will burn 13 calories for 15 minutes of ho-hum sex. Bump it up to 30 minutes of wild jungle sex and he or she will burn 54 calories. So far, laughing is winning in the calorie department.
- Both bodily activities, i.e. having sex and laughing, produce endorphins that strengthen the immune system and lessen the pain of many ailments including headaches and arthritis.
- Laughing and sex both lower the levels of stress-causing hormones.
- Test results from The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Toronto, Canada, showed that in the female brain, the exact same zones are excited during both sex and laughter. I’m guessing that applies to gay guys too.
- Other testing by the same university determined that the phases of laughter were very similar to phases of sexual excitement - on par with foreplay, heightened excitement and orgasm. That’s why both sex and a good belly laugh leave you pleasantly exhausted.
So tests seem to confirm what most of us already knew intuitively; that laughter and sex are both highly pleasurable and healthful.
Sex does have a distinct advantage over laughter when it comes to procreation. I never knew anyone who got pregnant from having a good laugh, unless of course they were having sex at the same time.
THOSE HAPPY HORMONES
Whether you’re a scientist or merely an observer of human behavior, it seems to ring true that we all stir up major hormonal activity whether laughing something off or hotly getting it on.
There’s also good non-scientific evidence pointing to the belief that one is compelled to tell jokes when afflicted with a case of raging hormones.
Take the disruptive kid in class who, much to everyone’s amusement can’t control making clever remarks about the lesson (or the teacher:). Someone like that usually goes on to become a Nobel Prize winner, or at least a brilliant stand up comic.
Then there are the two kids in the back of the room who are always passing notes, trying to stifle an uncontrollable case of the giggles. They usually wind up getting married or at least having a love child.
And let’s not forget the weird kid who, for no apparent reason laughs at everything. He’s the one who finds humor in a bowl of steamed broccoli. Someone like that is likely to father many sons and live to be 125; especially if he eats the broccoli.
So what can we conclude from all this? Is laughter an acceptable substitute for sex? Is sex an acceptable substitute for laughter? Is one better than the other? It's all very personal and in the end, we're still left with something that's highly subjective. I'd venture to guess that it strongly equates to the quality of the act, your reasons for engaging in the act, and whether you just finished a 5 course Indian dinner. But what do I know?... I’m just some verdant nelumbo nucifera.
© Copyright Green Lotus, 2011. All rights reserved.
If This Hub Made You Laugh, (or have sex) You will Probably Like Some of My Other Hubs...
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*coughs* I was that disruptive kid in fifth grade, Green Lotus. Yes, I made people laugh and got in trouble all the time. I was such a disruptive kid that I had my own hideaway desk behind the library in the classroom (it was a really big classroom by the way).
Yes, I laughed during this hub, but I also couldn't help myself before reading this, while waiting for the kiddies to show up and so had a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, so I'm still like a -150 calories! Great hub. I had fun reading it and had a good laugh in the process!
Can I have both please? :)
Hey y'all! Hope your Halloween has lots of both and twice as much candy.
YOU ARE AMAZING! I want both, just like Misha, and if it were possible to have both reading a great hub like this, Nelumbo Nucifera, then it has been achieved...I love your humor!
After reading this hub, I feel happy! So happy and Graaaand!This just proves that sex isn't everything. :)
Cool! You are wise too.
Thanks lorlie :) :)
I have always thought they went well together.
Thanks Green Lotus, I needed that, I laughed and so I feel like I had sex but then it's been so long that I don't remember which is which, oh well I'm not good at making decisions, or am I?
Anyway, thanks for your hub pages, they are really great!!!!
Great hub. Love your style of writing and humor. Sex and laughter: I always knew there was a connection between the two. They actually go together quite well. And who should know better than a nelumbo nucifera, and a green one at that?
GreenMath, gdmiles and alek....glad it was good for you too :)
I prefer laughter. Think of all the mess and negative possibilities with sex. No wonder I love the Comedy Channel!
Both are good on their own. There is no need of the statistics to prove one superior or else. Just have either any or both depending upon person to person. Thanks
Gracie - life without sex= possible to endure
life without laughter= impossible to endure
As for the mess..that's why God invented Kleenex
Thanks for contributing saurabh!
I love your humor too! If you're nelumbo nucifera then I'm skunk cabbage! All apologies here, but if anyone thinks laughter is better than sex well, then they're doing it wrong! Now on the other hand, if you can both laugh with and not at each other while doing it, then you have reached a certain nirvana that few can accommodate in a romantic union.
Brought a big smile to my face. I'll have both, complete with a side order of massage! lol
Ben and Beth thanks for commenting!
Laughter and sex are no substitute for each other, but are highly complimentary. Both require a lowering of one's guard to share. If a couple can laugh together, they are probably relaxed enough to have great sex.
Unlike laughter, I don't think great sex necessarily burns a lot of calories. Relaxation is more important in great sex, I think.
I don't think even a sustained climax would burn as many calories as prolonged laughter.
Thought provoking hub, GL! Thank you.
This is a great hub and thank you for posting it....Laughter is a great medicine for a healthy emotional well being. As for sex, that' just a bonus but can be accomplished and benefited the correct way when exercised appropriately.
Happy laughing everyone!
Jess and Patriciarose - Thanks for your astute comments!
Lovely hub Green Lotus. It made me feel lighthearted.Though maybe laughter is laughter and sex is sex and they are incomparable. I seem to find laughter lighter than sex and of course less messier. And Yes I am a fun.
I think both offer something the other can't, however, if they both occur at the same time.... they could cancel one another out and it wouldn't really matter anyway, would it??? I'm just sayin, if something went horribly wrong for the first to cause the second. right????
Always possible when you're dealing with raging hormones :)
No way, the hell there is no way :) Better train my cheecks though :)
train your cheeks?..hmmmm..thanks for commenting but I'm not going to touch that one :)
Which one? :) I will train them in case of any imminent crisis...
Excellent writing. I have a co-worker who recently said to me, "You're much funnier than he is." It was as if she said I was hotter or something. There does seem to be a connection between humor and interpersonal attraction.
I think I'm missing something here. What is sex?
HaH! good one Niteriter.
Very good points! I laughed out loud at your comment on the last picture.
You write very intriguing, insightful, and interesting (check out that accidental alliteration! And again right there... eep) hubs. I approve!
Glad you had a good laugh lineylena. So far no one has commented on having a good orgasm :) and since you mentioned it, yes, that's me in the photo.
Yes.
Thanks!
Great hub! Although I wouldn't recommend laughing during sex:)
Oh no!! I've been known to laugh at a bowl of broccoli!! Well perhaps it wasn't broccoli but I remember laughing at a wall when I was at school (I promise I hadn't taken anything)
I too had a gay friend, well many actually (I did work at Disneyland after all) and we had a whale of a time together! Ho ho! It's even got me off laughing now just thinking about it...tee hee!! I think I might have to write this one down.
Ah! There's nothing like a good laugh!!
Glad you enjoyed it! I laugh at walls all the time too :)
came across this by accident (no pun intended!!) and glad I did too... excellent hub.... if not laughing at least smiling!!! Ta...
Thank yoy RDB and nice to meet you! Keep smiling :)
Sometimes when your partner get older....you don't have a choice about one of these....ha! ha! ha! Oh, yes they make viagra....but the laughs keep coming
LOL Ictodd! Keep laughing together.
in both laughter and sex one tend to forget oneself.while sex
has its limitations,laughter doesnt.
Hi Green Lotus,
Very interesting but complicated question. I will try my best to answer which one is better.
Laughter is the best medicine. If you really know how to laugh!
Sex is better than Laughter if you know how to do it properly.
However, I believe laughter is more important than sex because sex is temporary pleasure but you can laugh all day.
You can laugh even you have a headache but no sex if your wife have a headache...hahahaha.
You can laugh at any age but sex has age limitations. So enjoy having sex while you are young because you can laugh rest of your life.
For now, why not have both together...Laugh & Sex have fun.
LOL Mr. Nice! I love it. Thanks for your words of wisdom and for visiting my Hub!
Thanks for the feedback Green Lotus, it was my true feelings because I really enjoyed your hub. Have a wonderful weekend.
I've seen your toilet paper hub on the front page this last week - hope it's doing well for you, Well done! I'm with Mr. Nice (and your photo) do them both at the same time for maximum benefit :D:D:D
Wow, I didn't know that RedElf! Thanks for letting me know! Funny "viewership" has been off all week so maybe it will pick up soon :)
haha...hilarious Green Lotus...hmmm (I'm scrolling through the article)..I don't think you gave your personal opinion.
So, which is better, laughter or sex?
Well now, it depends on quality. I think a hot sexual encounter is better than casual laughter, but if I had to give up one for good, I'd choose giving up sex over laughter. So glad you had a laugh and thanks for stopping by :D
Hi Hon, this is the forum i opened for this hub-hope it brings more traffic, cheers, Kimberly
Thanks again lyrics! I'm already participating ;)
enjoyed this thanks to lyrics......
Thanks poetlorraine..so good to see you and glad you enjoyed it!
You would think that for someone who loves and I mean loves, both laughter and sex, I would weigh about 97 pounds by now. What in the world am I doing wrong? Guess I am not having enough wild jungle sex...I blame marriage. Great Hub!!
LOL Moonchild! Yes, I too vaguely remember those jungle sex days :) Thanks for commenting!
Green Lotus, the earth moved! How clever and how original..... :-)
And I hate you! You spoiled my favourite myth, which was that one looses 400 calories during sex. I always refused to diet becasue I thought that I was loosing so many calories anyway!!! :-))
I always assumed that if God created anything better than sex he must have kept it to himself !
Although a day that contains no laughter is a day wasted.
Hello De Greek! LOL! Greek mythology revised! Sorry :(
Hi Merlin! Good to see you here and you are right about a day without laughs being wasted. I totally agree. A day without sex is fine :)
Maybe...But only a Day !
Although I settle for a cuddle.... Even a virtual one.
Consider it done :)
Hi - Just discovered you via this hub. I love your writing and humor. I have some comments on your observations on students and how they grow up. You hit the nail on the head re. the class clowns, gigglers, and dreamers. Yes, they all grow up seeking that stimulation, that hormone rush. They usually turn out hilarious, or brilliant, or creative in some way. Or all three. And they usually have lots of sex, multiple marriages, and more than a few children. As much as they love to laugh, they aren't always happy with their life choices, which can be not-too-well-thought-out. Quick, I need a funny ending. Thanks for your ideas. You never know where one will lead.
LOL Gracie! dont be too quick to categorize ! i was one of those class gigglers and dreamers, but I must have broken the mold never having experienced multiple marriages and more than a few children! I am most often than not "happy". Go figure!
Oops, did I make a leap? Sorry. I'm brand new at this - just signed up - and have a lot to learn. Glad you're L-ing OL. I was a dreamer, too. Still am. I was thinking of the ADD/ADHD kids who can grow up with regrets. I was trying to say it isn't unusual to seek stimulation in more than one way - sex, speed, subtances, etc. Keep laughing. And writing. Love your hubs.
Ok! Thanks for commenting embee and welcome to Hubpages. So glad you found my hubs and so glad you are laughing. That's what we all need!
I laughed reading your hub! Thank you for the good writing.
Lisi
Thanks! Glad you had a laugh and welcome to HP Lisi.
I laugh you very much and would love to get in between your pants and make you giggle some more...Hmmmm It might work...
Of course a woman should never laugh when a man drops his ddrawers...lol. .great hub~~~MFB III
LOL. Glad you had a giggle MFB and thanks for the imagery :)
A MUCH MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS LAUGHTER and SEX better than your hubs - why HELL NO!!!
LOL epigrannan. You are too kind. Always happy to see you here.
How to compare between sex and laughter. I think it will give us double benefit, right. Great hub and I learn much from this . Two thumbs up for you.
Prasetio
It's a tough subject. One can only take the best of both with a smile! Thanks always for your comments and the rate up :)
GL,
Funnee! I'm laughing (but that's because my kids are home!)LOL. An interesting comparison to be sure. I'm always in the mood for a good laugh...but only almost always in the mood for sex. For instance as a man I am not always ready for sex right after sex, but right after a good laugh, it's easy to laugh again. Physically it's not so demanding I suppose! Anyway, that's my take on it. Great Hub. Thanks.
I love your "take" WE5. I think most men will agree and I would venture to say, most women feel the same despite racy TV shows and films. You might also say that good sex often comes after a good laugh!
Different creation Inspiring thought
Glad to be an inspiration warrioRR. Thanks!
nice artical.
thank you Kamran!
Hmmm... Interesting hub. Thanks for sharing.
Lena
hah, really nice hub! Gave me a good laugh.
lovebuglena - You are most welcome and glad you found it of interest!
T_Diamond - to laugh is good. Much thanks
Great Hub! It brings me back to the day when I wanted to laugh instead of having sex..the younger days. You know if sex had never even been mentioned to me, I probably would've never figured out. Just would have thought that laughing was the most important foundation for a relationship. :)
italmeansumthin- Nice to meet you! I still agree, laughing is the most important foundation for a relationship. Without sex it can still go on..without laughter, I think not!
well done nelumbo nucifera.made me look it up didnt you? lol great hub and I totally agree/// laughter and sex are both fantastically good!!! food for the soul so to speak!
Nice to meet you here RNMSN and thanks for commenting!
I agree with Misha!
Another great one GL
Bravo
xo
Kimberly so good to see you here and much thanks! GL
Disagree with your hub entirely. When I stand naked in front of a woman she generally falls about laughing and I have no idea why. I myself don't get the joke and I have asked my penis extension surgeon to explain the joke to me but she just laughs too.
Excellent article and so true. Thank you GL.
Joe - You are a strange one. Hope you get well real soon :)
Tatjana- You are a dear and so welcome. Glad you liked it.
on this page two things of my fantasy come together, My whole life when I fantasies about a sexy woman when I am horney the woman is in a laughing fit, so extreme, she can not stand on her legs no more and slowly she squats down and when she gets weaker she lays on the ground making the same poses you see in the films. Not tickling, that is more like 'oh stop, don't do it', am talking about laughing extreme, see her body shaking when she is gasping for air. It's a fantasy.
I never liked the hardc. you see the most.
I am sorry.
Great and informative hub. Sadly I'm not getting much of either, which probably explains why I feel like crap and about 400 years older then what I actually am :(
snake eyes - Thanks for the visit. Hopefully you at least got a chuckle out of my Hub :) cheers! (check out some of shadesbreath's Hubs - funny stuff!)
Great Hub
marwan - Thanks for the visit and the nice comment :)
I am already following your hub so I should read a lot more. Cheers
marwan - Hi again. Glad to have you as a fan! much thanks for your interest.
I never thought about laugh compared to sex. But nice hub!
Carl - Welcome to Hubpages! I try to get people thinking. It helps me think clearer :) Cheers.
Thanks for the welcoming! I'm looking forward to reading more of your hubs! Thumbs up!
Carl - Thank you and have fun.
In one word NO!
perpeptua - OK!
I believe the answer is no! If you are with the one you love, laugh and sex and a romantic dinner - a perfect equation.
howcurecancer - I agree..as long as he cooks the dinner :)
Laughter is nice but sex is nicer or is it the other way round, and indulging in both is pleasurable!
marwan - i can't make up my mind either! Thanks for stopping by!
A time and a place for both :-) Thanks for sharing, great hub!!
emilybee- You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed this.
creativeone59 Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
Great hub, i guess I better get started on my laughing feat for today. Thanks for sharing it. creativeone59