Why Some People Laugh During Scary Movies

Do you like the kind of scary movies that cause you to let out a scream or two? Have you ever wondered why some people are laughing at the most climatic moments? Are they trying to ruin it for the rest of us? Maybe not. There may very well be a scientific explanation for this.

Just when it is getting good and the movie has reached its scariest point, you hear someone laughing. It is very possible that this person at the cinema is simply trying to act tough or maybe to conceal his fear. However, it may be something else. Believe it or not, it may have to do with their genes.

Scientists have actually said various versions of the same gene linked to anxiety can explain the way in which some people react to scary movies. Some folks are not affected at all, while others enjoy the suspense and the gore. These findings may help to explain why people have different reactions to horror movies. While many people scream and some even faint in theaters while watching spinning heads or shaking beds, other people simply laugh it off.

It has to do with the 'COMT" gene. This gene affects a chemical in the brain that is linked to anxiety. Those folks with two copies of one version of the gene are easily disturbed when viewing frighteneing scenes. That version of the gene weakens the effect of the signaling chemical in the brain that helps control certain emotions.

The scientists found that those carrying two copies of the gene were much more startled by scary images than others. Those people with two copies of the latter gene were also able to control their anxiety more easily. Researchers in Germany made the discovery after testing 96 different women.

So now that we know there is scientific evidence for the behaviors of some of those loud mouths at the cinema, what about the rest? The truth is there will always be a few boys trying to impress their counterparts and girlfriends by not acting scared. One way to do this, they apparently reason, is by laughing at the climatic times. After all, if they are not making some sort of noise, then they just might be perceived as being "scared." What better way to demonstrate to his girl that he is not scared than by laughing and talking when everyone else is screaming out in fear?

For the rest of us "normal" people who love these scary shows, we enjoy enjoy every minute of the tension filled moments. The scariest time of the movie is the best time to grip the pillow tighter, or hug our partners tighter. So what if someone else is trying to ruin it? We can't let them. After all, it may just be that their genes are to blame.