Gaussian scale mixture ($X=RZ$)

A Gaussian scale mixture is a random variable $X=RZ$, where $Z$ has a standard normal distribution and is independent of a positive random scale $R$. Its probability density function is the average of the conditional normal densities. Random scales can produce larger kurtosis than a single normal law.

An independent unit-scale Rayleigh distribution variable $R$ and standard normal distribution variable $Z$ give $RZ$ with Laplace distribution of density $e^{-|x|}/2$. Indeed its characteristic function is $\mathbb{E}{e}^{-t^2{R}^2/2}=1/(1+t^2)$.