Most of us are nostalgic about our childhood games and movies like Resident Evil, Paranormal Activity, Last of us, Conjuring, etc. Forcing our siblings to sit with us, and keeping a pillow on your face during a jump scare but despite being absolutely terrified, some of us loved to go through this torture of horror.
Reading Stephen King novels provides an eerie comfort, and binging on IT is a frightening experience. The real question that arises is why does it bring us a certain kind of joy that is mixed with fear? It is not exactly a positive emotion. A dark room, filled with trembling voices and any other noise apart from it is deemed as another entity. Does the vision of it excites you with fear?
Many people love being scared, and this thrill involves far more than just bravery. Both psychological and biological factors create the exhilarating sensation people experience when enjoying horror.
Why Do We Put Ourselves Through This?
We consume this content because we want to experience stimulation. When terrifying scenes expose us to fear and horrifying descriptions fill us with fearful excitement, it is not because we are sadistic; rather, these experiences stimulate us mentally and physically
Another reason is because we crave such novel experiences. A Zombie apocalypse? far from real life, it allows us to escape our lives and live in our alternate realities, it shuts off your brain from the world, the fear consumes your stress. Some novel experiences also gets your heroic fantasies full filled. Like saving a town from a zombie apocalypse in a video game or visiting an infamous haunted house near your area. Everyone knows that one abandoned house in town; exploring it earns you serious bragging rights
Moreover, It also helps us explore a dark part of us that satisfies our curiosity about being a villain, or a dark side of human psyche. After all the chances of meeting The Nun from Conjuring are quiet low. Saving your daughter Rose while the world is infested with zombies rarely happens (though nothing is impossible)
As a species, we are inherently curious and truly fascinated by what our kind is capable of. We love observing plots where actors must confront the worst parts of themselves.
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It also has to do with biology It is one of the main factors. It is the way that your body responds to fear. When we consume a horror content, our brain perceives a threat and fright can trigger the release of adrenaline, resulting in heightened sensations and surging energy – a rush that some people experience while playing extreme sports.
Even though, in your subconscious, we know that it is safe. You keep assuring yourself that is just fictional but your brain triggers a fight or flight mode. This results in releasing adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine.
If you’re an individual who loves horror, find it thrilling rather than distressing, it is because your body turn fear into a pleasurable experience.
Benefits Of Consuming Horror.
Apart from the way that is makes you feel, consuming a horror content can also grant some benefits.
A Recipe For Falling in Love
Research suggest that doing activities with your partner that triggers fear and terror may bring you closer romantically. Visiting a haunted park, or watching a horror movie might instill some romantic feelings in them for you. (and always a good excuse to hold their hand). Co-experiencing scary moments (followed by a pounding heart) can add to the feeling of excitement
A Furrow For Social Bonding
Consuming horror in a group is a great way to bond and connect with our friends and family. Research suggests that such bonding is linked to oxytocin, which is often released when we are in frightening situations. This hormone facilitates feelings of closeness and affinity among the group members. (Maybe, it’s time to test this out with a horror night with your teammates!)
In this way, horror content reveal something fundamental about human nature: our ability to find pleasure in paradox. We seek out what scares us not to suffer, but to feel alive, challenged, and, ultimately, safe. Soak in all the horror and don’t let the nightmares get you.
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Horror movies are also a way of exercising
