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While laughter is generally good for health, excessive and uncontrollable laughter can sometimes lead to fatal consequences. However, it must be noted that such instances are very rare
Laughing forcefully can lead to a rapid heartbeat and respiratory difficulties. (Representative/Shutterstock)
There have been rare instances of death occurring while laughing. Three notable figures throughout history are known to have died in such a manner. Excessive laughter can trigger a range of physical reactions within the body, which, in extreme cases, can prove fatal.
Essentially, laughing forcefully can lead to a rapid heartbeat and respiratory difficulties. In certain situations, it may even result in a heart attack or stroke. Let us delve into the stories of those famous individuals who died while laughing.
Who was Chrysippus, who died of laughing?
Chrysippus of Soli was a renowned philosopher of ancient Greece who lived from 279 to 206 BC. Widely recognised as a Stoic philosopher, he is considered the second founder of Stoicism. Born in Soli, Cilicia (modern Turkey), he later relocated to Athens to study under Cleanthes, the second head of the Stoic school. Upon Cleanthes’ death around 230 BC, Chrysippus assumed leadership of the school.
A prolific writer, Chrysippus is believed to have authored over 700 works during his lifetime, primarily focusing on logic, ethics, and physics.
His death at the age of 73 is an intriguing anecdote in the history of philosophy. Chrysippus is said to have died from laughter after witnessing a donkey being fed wine. While an unusual and rare occurrence, the most popular account suggests he saw a donkey eating figs and jokingly instructed someone to give the animal undiluted wine to accompany the fruit. Finding the situation immensely humorous, he laughed uncontrollably, ultimately leading to his demise.
However, an alternative account of his death exists. It is said that he consumed unadulterated wine at a feast, becoming intoxicated. During a fit of laughter, his mirth grew so intense that he collapsed to the ground, trembling and foaming at the mouth. He died shortly thereafter. Chrysippus’s death became a legend, illustrating the extremities of humour and the human experience.
Who was Alex Mitchell, who laughed and died while watching a comedy?
Alex Mitchell was a 50-year-old bricklayer from Norfolk, England. On 24 March 1975, he died after an extended bout of laughter while watching the BBC comedy show “The Goodies”. The episode, titled “Kung Fu Capers”, featured slapstick humour involving a Scotsman and martial arts, which reportedly caused Mitchell to laugh continuously for approximately 25 minutes. His laughter intensified to the point where he collapsed in his chair and died.
The immediate cause of death was determined to be heart failure. Doctors hypothesised that the strain on his heart from prolonged laughter could have triggered a cardiac arrest or a stroke.
Mitchell’s widow later expressed gratitude to the cast of “The Goodies” for making his final moments enjoyable. She described the unusual nature of his death as both tragic and strangely humorous.
The third man who died laughing was watching a comedy film
The third well-known case of dying laughing involved 71-year-old Danish audiologist Ole Bentzen, who tragically died of laughter while watching the comedy film A Fish Called Wanda in 1989. During the screening, he found a particular scene so funny that his laughter increased to critical levels, reportedly increasing his heart rate to between 250 and 500 beats per minute. He suffered a fatal heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital after fainting.
When does laughter become dangerous?
These cases are extremely rare. Laughter is usually beneficial for health but sometimes it can prove to be fatal. But this is possible when laughter becomes excessive and uncontrolled. There can be many physical and medical reasons behind this.
Excessive heart rate (Tachycardia): Excessive laughter can cause the heartbeat to be very fast, which is called tachycardia. If the heart is already weak or there is any heart disease, then this condition can be fatal.
Breathing obstruction: When a person laughs excessively, the process of filling and releasing air in the lungs can be disrupted. During excessive laughter, there may be shortness of breath or lack of oxygen, which is called hypoxia.
Vasovagal reflex: This is a physical reaction in which excessive laughter can cause a drop in blood pressure and heart rate. This can lead to fainting or sometimes even cardiac arrest.
Brain stroke: If a person already has high blood pressure, excessive laughter can increase the pressure on the blood vessels of the brain, which can lead to a stroke.
Heart attack: If a person has a weak heart or already has heart disease, excessive laughter can cause sudden pressure on the heart, which can lead to a heart attack.
Aneurysm rupture: An aneurysm (a weak artery that can burst) already present in a person’s body can burst during excessive laughter, causing internal bleeding and death.
However, all this happens only in exceptional circumstances. Normally, laughter is considered beneficial for health, as it reduces stress and releases positive hormones in the body.
Can crying also cause death?
Cases of death due to crying are extremely rare and unusual, but in some situations, excessive crying and the physical reactions associated with it can be fatal.
Heart Attack: During extreme emotional stress and crying, the “fight-or-flight” response in the body can be activated, which can put more pressure on the heart. In people with a weak heart, this condition can cause a heart attack.
Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy): Also known as “Broken Heart Syndrome”. This condition can be caused by extreme emotional stress, such as deep sadness and crying. In this condition, the heart muscles become weak, which can affect the functioning of the heart.
Breathing obstruction: Excessive crying can cause the process of breathing to be interrupted, leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). This condition can be dangerous in rare cases, especially if the person already has a respiratory problem.
Physical exhaustion due to tears: Excessive crying over a long period can lead to physical exhaustion, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. Although it is not usually life-threatening, it can be serious if a person is already physically weak.
Psychological effects: Deep sadness and crying can increase psychological stress so much that a person may take steps like suicide. This can indirectly be a cause of death related to crying.