In 1962, Tanzania (then Tanganyika) experienced a laughter epidemic that originated in a girl's school, spreading to over 1,000 people with symptoms lasting for months, including chronic laughter, hysterical crying, aimless running, and violent outbursts. The epidemic resulted in the closure of fourteen schools, as it is believed to have originated with anxiety-induced laughter in one schoolgirl and triggered a chain reaction in the region. Researcher Christian Hempelmann suggested that the laughter did not alleviate suffering but rather served as an expression of the psychic pressure these individuals were facing.
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