Why do we get ‘the giggles’?

Asked by: Alex Cooksley, Coventry

Human laughter is unique, although monkeys and apes ‘giggle’ when tickled and many animals pant when playing. The noise signals playtime and laughter lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Laughing with others maintains social bonding and shows everyone they’re having fun instead of being serious. That can make giggling infectious and the infection can get out of control, hence ‘the giggles’.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.