Those who enjoy horror movies can simultaneously experience both fear and joy, research tells us. We may hide our eyes when the suspense gets too much to bear, but for horror fans, it is the most harrowing, frightful moments that provide the most pleasure.
Haunted house experiences can be a form of escapism. It throws us into a world of supernatural and mythological creatures, far from our everyday lives. Many of us enjoy such books and movies, so actually outrunning monsters can be a surreal but fun experience.
Haunted houses also provide the perfect venue to bond with friends and family. We are social beings – we foster strong bonds when we get scared together, support each other, and brave through as a team. In frightening situations, our body releases oxytocin, a hormone known to facilitate feelings of closeness and social interactions.
The sense of relief when it all ends also triggers endorphins, the same “happy hormones” released when we exercise or eat. Making it all the way through the haunted house and proving that we could handle all that anxiety also gives us a sense of satisfaction and confidence.
ENJOYING HAUNTED HOUSE EXPERIENCES
But why do we still get scared even though we know these horrifying creatures are no more than actors in costume and prosthetics?
Our rational brains may understand this, but our emotional brains tend to take over once we are in the haunted scenes. The line between our perception and reality blurs.