The Healing Side of Humor

Researchers have long looked at the link between comedy and mental health. A study by the University of Oxford including more than 500 comedians, suggested that comedians score highly on traits that, in extreme cases, are associated with mental illness. A newer study also found higher anxiety-related symptoms and higher rates of positive screens for alcohol and substance-use problems among comedians. There’s this old “sad clown” idea: funny on stage, unhappy off stage. But how small is the gap between being funny and being tired, anxious or lonely?

Redhorse Riders Zoriana Khetchykova and Darius Korickij went to Brussels comedy club (The Comedy Ket) to find out for themselves. They came back with The Healing Side of Humor, a new podcast episode of Redhorse Rebel Radio. Check out all our podcasts and documentaries on www.redhorse.tv!