Chills and Thrills: Why We Can’t Resist a Good Scare
Scaring people is good business. In 2022, Universal Studios Orlando brought in $575 million for their annual Halloween Horror Nights. According to the Washington Post, the horror movie genre has doubled over the last decade. And the escape room industry is expected to reach $1.75 billion by 2026.
Why are so many of us drawn to things that make our skin crawl and heart race? To better understand why we love being scared, let’s first look at where it all begins…. the human brain.
Dr. Feel Good: The Thrillseeking Brain
The instinctual part of our brain prioritizes our survival, and yet, many choose to override that hard-wired directive and seek out fear - for fun! In that way, we’re unique in the animal kingdom. But what drives that seemingly counterintuitive reaction?
Our biological fear response activates many different parts of the brain. One of the most important involves chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.
Neurons, the primary nerve cells in the brain, are responsible for sending messages throughout the body. When an electric current carrying information reaches the end of a neuron, aka the axon terminal, neurotransmitters are released.
Illustration of a Neuron
Then, like a lock and key, these neurotransmitters attach to specific receptors on other neurons, muscles, organs, or glands. The neurotransmitters cause particular actions to take place, such as sleep regulation, digestion, heart rate, and even our emotional state. Even though over 100 neurotransmitters have been identified, a few take center stage when it comes to fear.
Let’s start with the big one - adrenaline. When your body senses a threat, your sympathetic nervous system automatically kicks into high gear. The brain sends signals to your adrenal glands to release adrenaline (aka epinephrine.) Adrenaline allows you to either confront the threat (fight), escape (flight), stand still (freeze), or submit (fawn).
Once adrenaline is released, the body responds within seconds. Your heart begins to pound, your blood pressure rises, and you breathe faster to get oxygen out to your major muscle groups. Your pupils dilate, allowing more light to enter so you can see better. These are all physiologic adaptations to help you deal with that sabretooth tiger (or that scary ghost dog.)
Once the threat has passed, your parasympathetic nervous system comes into play. Your heart rate decreases, your breathing slows, and you begin to relax. In this way, the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work together to keep your body in balance.
In a controlled environment with no actual danger, your brain interprets your excitement as a win. You survived the scary moment- you deserve a cookie! So, the brain releases endorphins, a small neuropeptide made in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Endorphins bind to opiate receptors in the brain and act as the body’s natural painkillers. They also help to reduce stress while increasing happiness.
Adrenaline and endorphins then trigger the release of dopamine, another feel-good neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. With endorphins, dopamine helps create that exhilarating sense of relief once the perceived threat has passed.
This neurotransmitter cocktail creates an adrenaline rush, followed by a euphoric high. This intoxicating rollercoaster of emotions can leave you excited - and wanting another go-around.
But our brain’s neurochemistry is only one part of the puzzle. There can be other reasons for our addiction to fear.
2. Thrills as Therapy: The Psychological Benefits
Engaging with fear can impact us on a deeper psychological level. When managed in a controlled setting, it can actually be beneficial for our emotional health.
Building Resilience
Facing fears in a safe environment can help build up your inner strength. Research suggests that controlled experiences of fear help regulate emotions better in everyday situations. When you experience fear and push through it, even if it’s just during a scary movie, you’re reinforcing the neural pathways that help you cope with anxiety. You remind yourself that you’re capable of handling obstacles. Little by little, you build up the empowerment and emotional stamina needed to handle real-life challenges.
Dealing With Stress
The pressure of dealing with health concerns, aging parents, financial concerns, and just everyday life can sometimes feel overwhelming. The fun kind of fear can be a beneficial stress-relief mechanism.
The endorphins released in a controlled fear environment are natural stress relievers. They can help you feel more relaxed afterward. Even screaming can be a cathartic release to work off some of that pent-up anxiety.
Childhood Fears and Maturity
If you’ve ever had recurring nightmares about a monster under the bed, you know that childhood fears have a way of sticking around. Those fears might have felt overwhelming and larger than life when we were young. Revisiting those fears in adulthood allows us to process and overcome them. We essentially flip the script and become the triumphant hero.
(Note: The above discussion is for educational purposes only and does not constitute actual psychological advice. Not everyone will benefit from fear experiences, and you shouldn’t participate if you don’t feel comfortable. Please consult with a mental health expert regarding your own personal situation.)
3. Killer Dolls & Creepy Twins - The Thrill of Nostalgia
Horror Movies
Jason. Michael Myers. Chucky. Freddie Kruger. Pinhead. Candyman. Ghostface. Pennywise. The Xenomorph. Predator.
Those of us in Gen X grew up during the golden era of modern horror. These movies were a cultural phenomenon woven into our formative years. Watching them became experiences we still remember today. We’d sit at the edge of our seats in darkened theaters, grabbing each other (and spilling popcorn) when the monster would jump out. Lots of laughs and memories from those days.
Rewatching one of those classic horror movies can take us back to our youth. Remember watching late-night horror marathons? The “ultimate” rebellion of sneaking into an R-rated movie? Holding your date’s hand during the scary scenes? Yeah, those simpler days.
Personal Traditions
Many of us also have annual traditions that tie our past to our present. Maybe it’s decorating our homes with scary ghosts & goblins or going to a neighborhood haunted house.
My spooky tradition is watching “Halloween” and “The Shining” every Halloween season. Recently, I’ve added “The Haunting of Hill House” to that list. (“Hill House” is a must-watch if you love haunted house stories that focus on creepy atmosphere, great characters, and a multi-layered story. Catch it on Netflix.)
4. Thrilling Together (aka Bonding Through Fear)
Cultural Activities
Halloween might be the most famous fear-centered celebration, but it’s not the only one. Many societies around the world have their annual events.
In China and Southeast Asia, the Hungry Ghost Festival involves offerings on altars to appease ravenous ghosts. It occurs during the month of the Hungry Ghost when the gates to the underworld are supposedly opened.
On December 5th, Krampusnacht is celebrated throughout Austria and Germany. Events include parades where participants dress as Krampus, a scary horned creature who punishes naughty children. They then run through the streets, scaring onlookers.
Other fear-centered festivals exist in such diverse locations as Japan, Cambodia, and Northern Europe. These yearly rituals remind communities of their history and draw them together through shared emotional experiences.
Group Experiences
Facing challenges together can be an extraordinary bonding experience. In these vulnerable moments, we need to trust and rely on each other. Such intense emotions can help solidify relationships on a deeper level. It’s like being soldiers together in the trenches.
And when it comes to fun group fear experiences, Halloween reigns supreme. Theme park horror nights, haunted house tours, community Halloween gatherings, ghost stories in the dark, horror movie marathons at the local theater- the list seems endless. Such events are safe spaces, allowing us to face what scares us as a collective unit. They remind us that fear can be more manageable when we do it together.
6. Conclusion: Some Thrilling Thoughts
Humans are complicated, aren’t we? Instead of doing the logical thing and avoiding fear, we sometimes choose to embrace it. Our paradoxical attraction to fear has its roots in neurochemistry, human behavior, social connections, and nostalgia.
Exploring why we love being scared isn’t just an academic exercise. It opens up conversations about managing stress and finding balance in our lives. These can provide insights into how we can harness these feelings for personal growth and empowerment.
Happy Halloween!
Do you have any scary traditions? Share in the comments below: