People seek horror entertainment for thrill and adventure, but studies have found mental health benefits in viewing scary movies, including stress release, managing real-life fears, and gradually reducing the impact of stressors through exposure to danger and fear in a controlled environment.
“Horror movies allow the release of tension and a wide range of emotions in a safe environment,” says Melanie Bryan, a clinical psychologist based in Hong Kong, to South Morning China Post (SMCP).
We watch scary movies because they help us to release our anxiety and fears deep inside our conscious. The Greek Philosopher Aristotle introduced “catharsis,” which is a process where we release our negative emotions by watching violent or scary movies. In other words, they help us to “purge” our aggressive emotions.
Also known as “rest and digest,” which is mentioned above, this dopamine response can aid in flooding your brain with this addictively calming hormone, while also helping you to feel better after this scary experience.
Horror movies ignite our senses, triggering an adrenaline rush and emotional roller coaster. They offer a controlled environment to confront fears and anxieties, leading to catharsis and a sense of release. The endorphin surges also add to the overall experience, leaving us feeling empowered and emotionally well.
Over 12 Hours of True Scary Stories with Rain Sound Effects - Black Screen Horror Stories
Why do I enjoy watching horror?
According to these researchers, stimulation is one of the driving forces behind the consumption of horror. Exposure to terrifying acts like stories of demonic possession or alien infestation can be stimulating both mentally and physically.
Scary shows, movies, and books gave me an element of control in the face of sensations that usually invoked feelings of helplessness. I think a lot of enjoyment of horror for everyone, not just trauma survivors, has to do with being able to feel fear in a controlled environment.
When we watch a horror movie, it stimulates the brain and it responds with the physical and emotional sensations we call fear. And believe it or not, for some people, this is a lot of fun. After the initial shock of the scare has sunk into our brains, our higher thinking processes then kick in.
A new study suggests watching horror movies might be less advisable than indulging in other forms of entertainment just before bedtime. According to recent research, horror movies do exactly what they are supposed to do when it comes to a good night of sleep.
Something called “horror-induced horniness” has a lot to do with the body's physiological response to fear. When we're scared, our bodies typically have some natural and hormonal responses reports Refinery 29. Our adrenaline and cortisol levels go up and blood goes to our extremities.
People who tend to experience negative moods are also vulnerable to distress after watching horror films because they show a poor reaction to human suffering. This means that individuals with depression, which is closely related to anxiety, may be prone to anxiety when watching scary movies.
When you are watching a scary movie, you are constantly on edge. The high suspense can cause an increase in stress and anxiety, which can lead to an increased heart rate. The change is not very noticeable of threatening, but it is definitely something to keep in mind.
Studies indicate that a 90-minute session of horror viewing can help burn up to 150 calories, akin to a brisk half-hour jog or walk. This revelation stemmed from a study by researchers at the University of Westminster, which observed heightened heart and metabolic rates during horror movie-watching sessions.
People with anxiety are more likely to be negatively affected by horror movies. Chronic anxiety increases sensitivity to startle stimuli, the researchers explain. As a result, it makes people who are already stressed and anxious more likely to react negatively.
One reason we consume horror is to experience stimulation. Exposure to terrifying acts, or even the anticipation of those acts, can stimulate us — both mentally and physically — in opposing ways: negatively (in the form of fear or anxiety) or positively (in the form of excitement or joy).
Horror stories trigger physiological fear responses, which in turn reduces cortisol levels. They are a kind of “mental training” or “exposure therapy” for people with various forms of stress or anxiety. Fans of horror seek out these stories to destress, to regulate their emotions, and even to meditate and sleep.
In fact, the study shows that watching a 90-minute horror movie can burn close to 200 calories, which is equivalent to the amount burned through a 30-minute walk or light workout. (Picture a small chocolate bar as calorific reference.)
Although horror movies may positively impact mental health, it's vital to be cautious while using them as a “coping” tool. In some cases, they may cause more harm than good: Horror movies can negatively affect sensitive people and people with mental health problems, increasing stress, anxiety, panic, and depression.
Not surprisingly, horror movies top the list of entertainment to avoid before bed. While some people can watch the goriest slasher flick and go to bed with no problem, many find that watching scary thrillers ignites their fight-or-flight response.
While there is no chapter and verse in Scripture saying horror movies are sinful for Christians to watch; it would be incredibly unwise and even dangerous for believers to partake in films that make light of the demonic and make it look entertaining.
Dr. Scanlon elaborated, saying early exposure to graphic and gory content could be “potentially traumatic.” “When kids are exposed to excessively scary movies, images, or even haunted houses, they tend to have some of the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Dr. Scanlon explained.
The Dark Triad traits of psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism were hypothesized as having a positive correlation with horror movie enjoyment and a lower physiological response during the viewing of a horror movie because of past research showing that low empathy and high senastion seeking are consistently ...
Often, all that was needed was an outpouring of emotion, whether that's fear, thrill, or a good cry. Horror can help people access those hard-to-reach emotions and provide a way to express them.
What does psychology say about people who like horror?
Excitation transfer: This theory states that people who experience an emotional response to horror also experience more enjoyment when threats are resolved. Individual empathy: People who are less empathetic enjoy horror films more, according to Professor Ron Tamborini.
Several researchers have offered several explanations for this phenomenon: Horror movies offer a sense of control over your anxiety → We tend to worry many about many things out of our control- the weather, job security, inflation, and the coronavirus pandemic.
