Dr Sophie Scott

As you will see, Host Glass it rightfully taken with Dr. Sophie Scott, Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience University College London. While this neuroscientist oversees a huge number of researchers –most post-doctoral and postgraduate students; others top-level clinical researchers who study how the brain processes sound and the neurol basis of speech, a good deal of her work focuses on the brain and the effects of laughter on it. Dr. Scott literally breaks down the chemical shift of the brain’s hormones as one goes from sadness and anger to a state of laughter. She talks endorphins, dopamine (natural pain relievers), cortisol, and adrenaline. She discusses why it’s better to engage in laughter with another person than by yourself, how contagious it is, and how healing it can be. She chats on about deep belly laughing and Dr. Scott lets us in on what makes her laugh like the Seinfeld episodes she shares on a regular basis—a ritual—with her husband and son. She discusses her new book that will expound on the brain and humor that she is trying to find time to write, and how laughter is likely better than physical exercise, meditation or anything else that reduces stress. She then offers Host Glass and his audience tips for seeking comedic resources. No wonder this brilliant British scientist is so helpful to the THG audience, her credentials are many. She gave the Royal Society Christmas Lectures in 2017, was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2020 and also the Royal Society Faraday Prize in 2021. Come have a listen, won’t you?