Laughing in the Dark

Defined by psychologists as dark humor it treats morbid or distressing topics (death, disease, war, etc.) with bitter amusement. It often elicits a reaction like “that’s terrible, but I laughed.”

Dark humor walks a razor’s edge—twisting tragedy into punchlines that demand both emotional detachment and intellectual agility. If you find yourself laughing at the bleak and bizarre, research suggests your brain might be wired for sharper wit and deeper cognitive processing

• A study in Cognitive Processing found that people who enjoy dark jokes tend to have higher IQs, lower aggression, and better moods than those who don’t.

• Processing dark humor requires emotional detachment and complex cognitive skills, making it more mentally demanding than simple wordplay.

Sample dark jokes

• “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing—except at a funeral.

• “Cats have nine lives. Makes them ideal for experimentation.”

If you laugh at these, you’re not just twisted—you might be brilliant.