Dropout.tv’s Brennan Lee Mulligan Brings Dungeons and Dragons to the Masses

image via New Scientist

July 18, 2025, 10:00 AM

• •Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are gaining recognition for their potential mental and emotional benefits.
• •Studies indicate that D&D can positively influence mental health, aid in identity exploration, enhance social skills, and improve cognitive functions.
• •Researchers and therapists are exploring the use of D&D as a therapeutic tool, recognizing its ability to foster creativity, manage symptoms, and facilitate personal growth.
• •The collaborative storytelling and role-playing aspects of D&D provide a unique platform for self-expression, skill-building, and emotional exploration.

Dungeons & Dragons, a tabletop role-playing game, is increasingly recognized for its positive impacts on mental health, with studies showing its ability to improve players' mental well-being, communication skills, and critical thinking. Researchers are actively investigating the therapeutic potential of D&D, exploring how its collaborative storytelling and role-playing elements can facilitate self-expression and personal growth. Therapists are beginning to use D&D as a form of therapy, providing a safe space for individuals to explore identities, manage symptoms, and develop life skills. As interest and research in this area grow, the use of D&D and similar games in clinical settings is expected to become more common, offering a unique modality for therapeutic intervention.

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