Dad jokes may be good for your brain in one surprising way, experts say

While that dad joke might elicit a heavy sigh from family members, experts say a silly pun can alter internal body chemistry and lower stress, potentially providing real health benefits.

Dad jokes are uniquely distinguished by their structure, content and comedic devices, according to a study published on PsyArXiv, an open-access preprint repository for psychology research.

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In analyzing thousands of examples, psychologists Paul J. Silvia (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) and Meriel I. Burnett (University of Massachusetts Amherst) found that dad humor is firmly rooted in puns and wordplay.

While more advanced comedy requires context, a joke about a neighbor’s roof may only require someone to understand the dual meaning of a single phrase.

This predictable structure makes dad jokes broadly accessible, creating opportunities for shared humor across generations, the researchers said.

Laughter alters internal chemistry by decreasing stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, while simultaneously increasing happiness chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.

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A 2023 review in PLOS One found that a single laughter session could slash cortisol levels by more than 36%. This drop in stress lights up regions like the prefrontal cortex, helping the brain to process complex ideas.

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Studies have linked pun comprehension to verbal ability, creative thinking and the ability to make connections between different meanings.

“When we see children laugh, we witness the brilliance of the brain in action: learning, connecting and growing,” Jacqueline Harding, PhD, an early childhood expert at Middlesex University in London, told Fox News Digital.

In her book, “The Brain That Loves to Laugh,” Harding states that joy is a complex biological phenomenon that helps children navigate stress and build more resilient, receptive minds.

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“Hope and humor, it seems, are not just the seasoning of life, but foundational to a recipe for healthy development.”

The physical benefit extends directly to the family unit. Sharing a good laugh can boost oxytocin, a hormone known to deepen emotional bonds between parents and children. It also promotes what psychologists call co-regulation, experts say.

This process allows individuals to manage their own stress by drawing on a shared biological store of positive, safe experiences.

“Spontaneous, joyful play is an antidote to stress, as it increases levels of endorphins released by the brain,” Harding said.

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“Creative, happy play does its most brilliant work at a molecular level, especially at a time when the human brain is at its most receptive.”