Not only does it get the adrenaline pumping and get us into the habit of peeking under the bed and into closets, it gives us a chance to safely experience things that we would not normally experience and to get a different perspective of people, life, and situations.
At a very simple level, being scared can trigger an adrenaline rush, which is a visceral, exciting experience — enjoyable for many people. Reading and writing horror also often serves as a form of emotional release, in which people can confront and process their own fears in a controlled and safe environment.
While horror books are a beloved genre, they may not always deliver the same level of fear as horror movies. The lack of visuals, predictability, and overuse of tropes can all contribute to this.
Horror entertainment can trigger the fight-or-flight response, which comes with a boost in adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine. The brain can then process surroundings and conclude that the experience is not a genuine threat.
The purpose of horror films is to highlight unconscious fears, desire, urges, and primeval archetypes that are buried deep in our collective subconscious – images of mothers and shadows play important roles because they are common to us all.
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.
Horror scholar Mathias Clasen suggests that a tendency to love horror can be traced back to the constant danger our ancient ancestors experienced in the environments where they lived. 2 Constant vigilance was required to avoid becoming the prey of a larger or more deadly animal.
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.
“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 phenomenon of being scared is an experience that all humans can relate to, according to Dr. Scanlon.
Exposure to terrifying acts like stories of demonic possession or alien infestation can be stimulating both mentally and physically. These experiences can give rise to both negative feelings, such as fear or anxiety, and positive feelings, such as excitement or joy.
But dark, foreboding scenes or glimpses of monsters have just as strong of an effect — and it's not a fun one. And we feel a sense of anxiety whenever something is too violent, especially when a character or actor reminds us of someone we love.
Watching horrific images can trigger unwanted thoughts and feelings and increased levels of anxiety or panic, and even increase our sensitivity to startle-eliciting stimuli, making those of us who are anxious more likely to respond negatively and misinterpret the sensations as real threats.
Those experiences inform the way we behave, think and form social circles.” And the course reveals universal antidotes to horror: empathy, compassion and love. “Horror is a disruptive force that emphasizes the positive forces we value: coming together as a community, putting others first or self-love,” says Fletcher.
Horror might be a good way for some people to practice emotion regulation skills and cope with feelings of anxiety.” This idea of using scary experiences in a safe context (like reading horror stories) as a coping mechanism is what horror for kids is all about.
When we experience fear or excitement, our bodies reward us with a flood of endorphins, creating a sense of euphoria and pleasure. The adrenaline rush and emotional roller coaster of horror movies trigger the release of these endorphins, leaving us with a heightened sense of well-being and a natural high.
“It's normal for children to want to explore the boundaries of their own fears and what society deems as acceptable,” said Scrivner, who studies horror media and fear, among other “scary” subjects. “This is one way for them to learn about those boundaries.”
Due to the graphic and intense nature of the movie, it may not be suitable for children under 12 or 13. While some children may be able to handle the content of the movie, it is ultimately up to the parents or guardians to decide whether their child can handle the content.
11-13 year olds may be better equipped to navigate the scary movie scene on some level but each child is different. If your child watches something that they say is not scary to them but then starts coming to you at night wanting to sleep closer to you or is having nightmares let their behavior speak for them.
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.
Did all that horror really help people cope? Yes, apparently. Scrivner was the lead author of a January 2021 study that found that horror fans were more psychologically resilient during the pandemic, with movies like Contagion serving as a sort of practice simulation for the real thing.
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.
Different types of psychopathy are related to horror movie preference as well as things like violent sports (and an aversion to romance, pop music and non-violent sports). However, you don't need to be a psychopath to enjoy horror cinema.
The study found that people who had two identical COMT genes had higher anxiety levels and were more susceptible to being terrified. Whereas those who had different versions of the gene were more likely to enjoy, say, a scary movie and even laugh at the most 'terrifying' parts.
Horror fans can be classified along three dimensions: Adrenaline Junkies, White Knucklers, and Dark Copers. Dark copers are a newly-identified type of horror fans, who use horror to cope with problems like feelings of anxiety. Adrenaline junkies get a mood boost from the intense experiences of horror.
