Why Do Some Brains Enjoy Fear?

It’s October, and your best friend has dragged you to every scary thrill you can imagine, such as haunted houses, horror movies, and late-night corn mazes. While you’re happy to go along, you just don’t experience the same enjoyment that your friend does. The difference in perspective may leave you wondering why some brains enjoy fear and some don’t. As it turns out, there may be a number of reasons that some people are wired to seek out situations that induce fear. The urge to experience fear may only become a concern when it compels you to engage in dangerous risk-taking behavior. If that describes you, you may benefit from working with a therapist in person or online to find ways to safely participate in fear-inducing activities.

The science of fear

Fear and anxiety can be innate parts of being human. However, everyone tends to experience these feelings differently. For decades, scientists have been digging into what causes fear and why some brains enjoy fear so much more than others. 

Biological and psychological mechanisms behind fear

According to research from psychology professor and scare specialist David Zald, our brain chemistry usually has a lot to do with whether or not we enjoy being scared. 

For some people, fear can release dopamine or endorphins, which are chemicals that generally cause you to experience a natural feeling of happiness. Even brain shape can play a role in how you experience fear. People who often feel anxious typically have prefrontal cortexes that look different from those of other individuals. 

Those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or panic disorders typically have an underactive prefrontal cortex. In contrast, those with generalized anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tend to have an overactive prefrontal cortex. 

The evolutionary purpose of fear

At its core, fear’s purpose is normally to keep us safe. In general, our brains have evolved to fear objects and situations that put us in danger. For example, the common fear of snakes and spiders may have developed because humans used to live in a time when the environment was dominated by reptiles, some of which would have been deadly.

Types of fear responses

You’ve perhaps heard of how the fight or flight response can be initiated when people are scared, but those aren’t the only two possible responses to feeling fear. 

Some people may freeze, unable to react at all. Others may attempt the lesser-known fawn response. In this fear response, the person may try to act or speak in a way that mitigates the danger coming from the assailant. For example, people who grew up in turbulent home environments might react to conflict by quickly giving in to what the other person wants.

Why do some people have irrational fears?

Start talking about your fears in a group of people, and eventually, people will start sharing fears that don’t make sense to you. Someone may be so scared of elevators that they will walk up 15 flights of stairs, or they may confess that they’re terrified of butterflies. To others, these feelings may not appear rational. However, they’re often developed as a part of fear conditioning, which generally occurs when someone is taught to have a particular fear.

A classic example may be the 1920 experiment at Johns Hopkins University involving a baby who was referred to as Albert. During the study, Albert was provided with a white toy rat. As he played with the toy, the researcher would make a loud, startling noise behind his head. With time, Albert began to associate the toy with the unpleasant noise and developed a fear of the white rat.

Psychological factors that contribute to enjoying fear

Several factors can make fear enjoyable for some people. Let’s explore some below and see which may resonate with you or the people you know.

The protective frame

The ability to enjoy fear often requires a protective frame, which can be defined as the ability to feel safe while scared. Researchers suggest that there may be three kinds of protective frames. 

1. Safety Frame: To enjoy fear, you may need to feel physically safe. The twists and turns of a roller coaster may leave your stomach in knots, but if you are strapped in tight, you can enjoy the experience because you know no physical harm will come to you.
2. Detachment: You may need to be able to psychologically detach from a scary experience. A scary movie can become pleasurable to watch when you recognize that what’s happening isn’t real; everyone involved is an actor. 
3. Confidence In Managing Danger: You may need to feel like you can control the danger you are experiencing. If a bear comes onto your front porch during your mountain vacation, you may feel panic. However, seeing a bear in a zoo enclosure is unlikely to trigger such a fearful response. 

Sensation seeking

Many people enjoy seeking sensation in some form or fashion. This may be why people are apt to buy the latest iPhone as soon as it comes out or eat at the newest restaurant in town. However, some people tend to be prone to constantly seeking sensation, even when (or especially because) it causes them to feel scared. 

High sensation-seeking personalities frequently go after new and intense experiences, even though they might come with physical risks. High sensation-seekers often exhibit four personality traits.

1. Thrill And Adventure-Seeking: The risks of an activity may be downplayed or even celebrated. For some people, the potential risk of an activity can add to its thrill. 
2. Experience-Seeking: People who seek sensation may be interested in having new experiences, such as traveling to exotic places or participating in the newest escape room in town. 
3. Susceptibility To Boredom: These individuals may struggle to tolerate being bored. They are often uninterested in routine and thrive on the excitement of change and the unexpected. 
4. Disinhibition: High sensation-seekers are often spontaneous and may act without considering the full ramifications of their behavior.

Exploration

Fear can act as a tool for exploration in certain situations. For instance, media like scary movies or horror podcasts can help us learn more about our world and discern how we want to navigate frightening situations. Enjoying scary media may help us explore our spooky side. For instance, listening to a true crime podcast can enable you to learn more about what went on inside the mind of someone who committed murder. You can learn who you are by learning who you are not. 

Fear’s impact on mental health

Some experts assert that a healthy dose of fear every now and then can be good for you. Recreational fear often surrounds us, and interest frequently starts at a young age. Many babies enjoy the startle they feel during peek-a-boo. Toddlers may ask to be thrown into the air again and again. Children often beg to be pushed higher and higher on the swing. As they get older, some people try to visit the most extreme haunted house they can find or plan scary movie marathons.

Being scared may not only provide joy to people, but it can also alter how they respond to stressful situations. For example, people who enjoy horror movies were typically better equipped to handle the psychological stress of the COVID-19 lockdowns. 

Mathias Clasen, director of the Recreational Fear Lab, suggests that people who have mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, may experience relief from their symptoms when they participate in recreational scary activities. 

Still, treating anxiety and depression generally takes more than a day of riding coasters at your nearest theme park. Working with a licensed therapist can help people manage mental health struggles, but accessibility can be limited. Once people contact a provider, it can take weeks, or even months, to be moved off of a waitlist and start scheduling regular sessions. 

Benefits of online therapy

One solution to the extensive wait time often associated with traditional in-office therapy may be online therapy. With providers such as BetterHelp, you can often see a therapist within days once you register. Through BetterHelp, users can be empowered to seek therapy on terms that work for them – through videoconferencing, phone calls, or online chat. This can help those who experience fear related to the therapy process begin treatment in a way that fits their preferences and comfort levels.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Numerous studies have proven online therapy to be just as beneficial as face-to-face therapy. In a 2021 study, researchers examined whether online therapy could be effective and acceptable for those participating. They found that participants usually experienced a significant reduction in symptoms of depression and emotional dysregulation. More than 80% of the participants also shared that they were satisfied using the online platform. These results demonstrate that online therapy can be effective and may result in patients being more willing to adhere to their treatment plan.