It's no joke.
A ''seriously contagious'' neurological condition causing people to go into spasms and even snort is sweeping across Dunedin, affecting thousands of people.
But a Dunedin documentary film-maker reassuringly says it is not the contagion it's cracked up to be, and residents need not be concerned.
University of Otago science and communication student Ana Terry is making a 10-minute scientific documentary about the effects of laughter, and while the subject might seem amusing, the science documentary's content is academic and serious.
''It's a film about the effects of laughter, in terms of the neurological effects and what sort of chemicals are produced in our brain when we laugh.
''We know anecdotally how good it feels to laugh with others, but what is actually generating this feeling?
''This documentary sets out to unpack the neurological science behind this human phenomenon and the wider social/individual benefits we get from laughing.''
Ms Terry has been following members of the Dunedin Laughter Yoga Club - a group of people who meet weekly at Otago Polytechnic to laugh together, which reportedly reduces stress, releases emotional tension, promotes a sense of wellbeing, increases self-confidence, strengthens the immune system and releases endorphins.
She said her documentary followed members going about their daily routines, and shared their personal background stories.
''This is specifically to show the psychological spaces that we come from - for example, stressful work environment, busy lifestyle, dealing with depression, insomnia etc.
''Part of the research that I'm doing is talking with scientists and actually identifying through MRI scans what parts of the brain are activated when people laugh, and what sort of hormones and chemicals are being activated that are actually really important for our survival.
''It's not just about the feel-good factor. There's a whole lot of other important stuff around the social aspects of laughing.''
Ms Terry said the documentary was part of her final assessment for a postgraduate diploma in natural history and film-making at the University of Otago.
She said laughter was so infectious, she had found herself giggling uncontrollably while filming her subjects.
''I've found myself laughing for no reason. It's quite infectious.
''But people shouldn't be worried about the condition going viral.
''As far as I can tell, there's no adverse side effects - I think it's all pretty positive.''
