Laughter is the best medicine for many reasons. Whether you’re going through a tough life situation or having a bad day, nothing beats a good laugh when it comes to lifting spirits. But what exactly is it about laughter that makes it so powerful? And what makes something funny?

Humor is a complex topic that has been studied by psychologists, neuroscientists, linguists, and sociologists for decades. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what makes something funny (after all, humor is subjective), there are some common characteristics that many people find funny.

One of the key factors in humor is surprise. Comedians often use unexpected twists and turns to catch their audience off guard. For example, a joke that starts out sounding like a typical setup might take a sudden turn in a completely unexpected direction. This element of surprise can be a big part of what makes a joke funny.