Why are we Fascinated With Fear?

A lot of us say that we don’t like being scared, but we still end up watching horror movies, serial killer documentaries, and jinn or ghost stories late at night. Fear is like a fishing line that just slowly reels you in, even when you claim you don’t like the bait. It might be the thrill you feel when your heart begins to race, or the sudden jumpscare, or just the fact that you’re feeling scared, but you know you’re in a safe place. Fear isn’t just something that lives in movies or frightening stories. Sometimes it comes as a sudden text, an unexpected phone call, a creaking floor at night, or even when you see your opps. For some reason, some of us strangely find comfort in fear that’s controlled. But why do we crave that feeling of wanting to feel scared?

Image Source: The Scream by Edvard Munch, 1893. Public domain.

The feeling of being scared can be exhilarating, and since most of us are the ones that are not being chased after a chainsaw, we get to enjoy the fear without being in danger. When fear turns into relief; there is a release of endorphins– which is basically the brain’s way of rewarding you. But endorphins aren’t the only chemicals at work; dopamine, the brain’s reward messenger, also spikes, giving you that little rush that makes you want to experience fear again. The mix of fear and safety is what pulls us back into that fascination we crave. Maybe that’s why we binge scary documentaries, or horror movies, because we can’t resist. Being scared is a way for our brains to lightly play with danger, even if it’s just from the comfort of our homes.