The Surprising Stress Relief in Scary Movies
Why getting spooked might be the trick to staying calm.
October’s finally here—pumpkins on porches, spooky decorations, and the perfect excuse to huddle up with friends for a horror movie marathon. But here’s a twist that even the best horror directors didn’t see coming: those jump-scares might actually lower your stress levels. Yep, you read that right. Watching good, old scary movies could help you relax.Â
The Science of Scare and Stress
When the killer is sneaking through the shadows or a ghost suddenly appears, your body reacts like it’s in real danger. Your heart pounds, adrenaline kicks in, and cortisol—the stress hormone—floods your system, prepping you for action. But here’s the cool part: even though your body is gearing up for a fight-or-flight moment, your brain knows you’re safe. You’re just chilling on the couch, after all.
This temporary spike in cortisol is kind of like a workout for your stress response. Your body amps up, then quickly winds down once it realizes there’s no actual threat. That post-scare cooldown leaves you feeling oddly relaxed. It’s the same pattern your body follows after a real-life stressor, like a job interview or a nerve-wracking meeting, but here, it’s happening in a controlled, harmless environment.
Facing Fear from the Comfort of Your Couch
Watching horror movies gives you the thrill of fear without any actual danger. This safe space for fear triggers a unique bonding moment, thanks to a little thing called the oxytocin hormone—known for its role in creating feelings of closeness. Ever notice how you grab your friend’s arm a little tighter when the villain shows up? That’s oxytocin kicking in, helping you feel connected to those around you.
Horror Isn’t for Everyone—And That’s Okay
Not everyone enjoys a night of jump-scares, and that’s totally fine. People with higher anxiety or who are naturally more empathetic might find these films too stressful. Instead of a quick cortisol spike followed by calm, they may experience prolonged stress that doesn’t feel fun at all.
And it’s not just adults—kids can be especially sensitive to horror, sometimes struggling to separate fiction from reality. Sleep issues, which mess with cortisol levels, are common after a scary movie night for younger viewers. So, while horror can be a great way for some to de-stress, it’s not the best choice for everyone.
The Takeaway: Scare Yourself Calm
Whether you’re into horror for the thrill, the suspense, or just to cozy up with friends, scary movies might actually help you relax in a strange way. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, maybe try trading in your meditation session for a night with a spooky movie. You might walk away feeling calmer than you expect.
Arbor Assays cortisol test kits provide research labs with the tools to monitor how stress impacts the body. Whether you’re interested in how cortisol molecules behave or how stress affects varied species, we provide the tools to keep that research alive!
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