I hate jumpscares. But whenever a new horror movie comes to theaters, I eventually find myself watching it, even if I have to cover my eyes and turn away every time I sense a scare coming. So, why is this? Why do humans seek out a fright — even dedicating a whole day to it — when biologically, it would make more sense to flee? Well, there might actually be a scientific reason for why we willingly walk into haunted houses and dreadful corn mazes, searching for that moment of fear.
At the exact moment of a jumpscare or other fear-inducing event, our brain releases adrenaline and endorphins, a combination of chemicals that triggers the well-known fight-or-flight response. This rush mimics that of excitement; in a way, fear and excitement are cut from the same evolutionary cloth!
But to feel excited rather than stressed, we have to know we’re in a safe, controlled environment such as in the comfort of our home or surrounded by friends. Haunted houses achieve this balance by using sudden sensory triggers, like loud noises or the feeling of a ghostly hand brushing your arm. These jolts happen just long enough to make us jump, but our brain quickly processes that there’s no real danger. That’s why, after the initial scare, we might laugh instead of fleeing for our lives.
Of course, some people enjoy spending Halloween watching horror movies or running through haunted houses more than others. At a biological level, people who enjoy being scared and those who don’t respond differently to fear. When something scary happens, our body’s fight-or-flight response releases cortisol, the hormone that prepares us to fight, flee, or freeze. However, people who love fear-inducing experiences and regularly seek it out — termed as high-sensation seekers — don’t produce as much cortisol. Instead, they get more dopamine, the pleasure chemical, which makes the scare feel thrilling rather than stressful.
Low-sensation seekers, on the other hand, have a stronger cortisol response to fear paired with decreased dopamine production. Their bodies prepare them to deal with danger, making the experience feel less enjoyable and more threatening. They’re also more likely to have a strong “behavioral inhibition” system, which signals them to stop when faced with potential danger. High-sensation seekers, in contrast, may have an overactive “behavioral activation” system that encourages them to explore and try novel experiences.
Whether you’re a high-sensation seeker who loves the thrill of a haunted house or a low-sensation seeker who finds solace in a comfy night at home, Halloween has something for everyone. The season is all about exploring what makes us feel alive — whether that’s the heart-pounding excitement of a spooky attraction like Hundred Acres Manor or the warm feeling of watching a lighthearted movie and eating candy with friends. Embrace whatever makes you feel most yourself this Halloween, and take a moment to appreciate how your body responds, whether it’s to thrills or cozy chills.
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