EPISODE · Jun 2, 2025 · 2H 1M
The BIZARRE Laughter Epidemic That Took Over a Country
from History For Sleep with the Drowsy Historian · host pl
Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorianIn 1962, a mysterious epidemic swept through a village in Tanganyika. It wasn’t a fever. It wasn’t a rash. It was laughter—violent, uncontrollable, and utterly joyless. Girls collapsed. Villagers shook with convulsions. Officials arrived. Doctors left. And the sound never really stopped.This is the chilling true story of the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic—a mass hysteria event that spread across communities, defied science, and left survivors questioning whether it ever really ended. Told in a calm, immersive tone, this long-form narrative invites you to lie back, close your eyes, and sink into the strangest outbreak you’ve never heard of.🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep ToolsLooking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:• Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy• Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f• Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn• Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTwThese are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.
What this episode covers
Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorianIn 1962, a mysterious epidemic swept through a village in Tanganyika. It wasn’t a fever. It wasn’t a rash. It was laughter—violent, uncontrollable, and utterly joyless. Girls collapsed. Villagers shook with convulsions. Officials arrived. Doctors left. And the sound never really stopped.This is the chilling true story of the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic—a mass hysteria event that spread across communities, defied science, and left survivors questioning whether it ever really ended. Told in a calm, immersive tone, this long-form narrative invites you to lie back, close your eyes, and sink into the strangest outbreak you’ve never heard of.🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep ToolsLooking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:• Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy• Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f• Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn• Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTwThese are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.
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The BIZARRE Laughter Epidemic That Took Over a Country
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