Science explains why we like to be scared

This is an automatically translated article.

Usually we are afraid to face the things we feel afraid of, but there are many people who love to find the feeling of fear. Scientists think that the reason why some people like the feeling of fear is due to the different brain activity of each person.

1. People who like the feeling of fear

There are people who are very afraid of playing adventure games, going to haunted houses, even very afraid of the feeling of watching movies or reading stories with ghostly or bloody episodes because they feel scared. However, there are many people who are very interested in things that bring a sense of fear or even enjoyment.
Some people say that “they love the feeling of discovering haunted houses, like it so much that they want to work in those haunted houses to experience them” but others are haunted, even after When you go to the haunted houses, you can't sleep for a while. Thus, it is possible that people who enjoy scary things have differences in their sympathetic nervous system.

2. The reason why we like to be scared

Scientists have tried to find out, study our emotions and brain activity. Thereby, they found some connection between different emotions between people, why some people like the feeling of fear. The reactions of liking or disliking the feeling of fear are not only individual choices, but also biochemical reactions in our brains that are different for each of us.
Causes can be listed as:
When we are afraid, the body secretes different chemicals that can contribute to a feeling of comfort under a number of appropriate circumstances. Positive feelings are caused by different neurotransmitters and hormones that are produced when the body feels fear and are all activated by the body's sympathetic nervous system. Related to dopamine: It has been found that when the body is exposed to elements that cause fear or fear, one of the main substances released is dopamine. The reason why many people like dopamine-related fear is that when a person has a lot of dopamine, they feel more nervous and afraid than others. Dopamine levels are related to secretion and reabsorption in the brain. Brain Operation: Our body is a refined, well-oiled machine that is ready to fight or flee in the face of real danger. So, if we're in a situation where we know we're safe, like a haunted house, a scary movie... then this is what creates a heightened state of arousal like when we are happy, laughing, excited or surprised. Our thinking activity is controlled by the frontal lobes, when playing games that bring about a feeling of fear, but actually our brain knows it is safe, so it will create pleasant feelings rather than anxiety. excessive fear.

Personality also plays a part in making someone's emotional difference: Scientists say people are born with different personalities and temperaments, which contributes to opinion their fear. However, part of the influence of life experiences can change our personality. According to research, people with traits such as conscientiousness, openness to experiences, extroversion, and empathy are often thrill-seekers. In addition, liking thrills can be contagious, since our emotions are constantly changing. So oftentimes creating a feeling of fear makes us more connected, creating positive relationships. For example, when a group of friends play a scary game like going to a haunted house, we will be closer together, creating more connections with each other when scared. There are many people who like the feeling of fear, it is very normal to add flavor to each of our lives. This is not a sign of a mental disorder, simply like you like a book, a piece of music. So you should not be too worried, but if you see other psychological problems, please contact a psychologist for advice.
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Reference source: healthline.com