@doctor.bing: Watching horror movies triggers real fear responses in the brain, but in a controlled way. Research shows recreational fear activates stress systems, dopamine, immune pathways, and emotional regulation. For some people, being scared is not just entertainment. It may be training for resilience. #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #HorrorMovies #MentalHealth #ScienceExplained

Kristina.maay :

Sorry doc, I'm a brain scientist and this shows a misunderstanding of how the amygdala and threat circuitry actually work. Activating the sympathetic nervous system is not inherently beneficial. For a large proportion of people, once the amygdala is triggered it does not simply switch off when the stimulus ends. The stress response can persist for hours or days, especially in individuals with anxiety, trauma history, chronic stress, or high baseline arousal. The brain does not distinguish between a real threat and a perceived one. Repeated or intense threat activation increases cortisol, disrupts sleep architecture, impairs memory consolidation, and sensitises the amygdala over time. For many people, scary movies are not “brain training”. They are prolonged stress exposure. Some people enjoy horror because they have rapid downregulation and strong prefrontal control. Many do not.

dragana :

I have CPSTD and I think the fear part of my brain is paralyzed because no movie scares me. I strangely feel comforted by horror movies. Its like ahhh yes home.

iamsofine :

I don't think it works the same for people with anxiety

Muun’s Diary :

What’s behind u sir?! 👀

Sammar :

I love horror movies and when people ask why I say it’s because whatever happens in my life is not that bad compared to the movie. I need to regularly up my dose of horror though

Tara | Geological Painter :

I think this is why people with anxiety love horror movies.

Quinnie :

What about reading thriller or suspense books? Will it have the same effect!

LadyV Prole 🔻 :

As a lifelong horror fan, this sings to my soul

cathynelson499 :

So, do roller coasters and other thrill rides have the same brain response?

Julie :

Watching one calms me down and helps overthinking 😭

Nina :

would you recommend doing this for a person that has PTSD? I'm terrified of scary stuff bc of the PTSD

xoluvina :

OK, I’ll watch the second season of squid games. 🥹🫣

Pebbles14_14 :

Watched scary snowman enough times, panic attack, not funny anymore 😐😠

★ :

is this why scary games are so fun?

user2112045013287 :

I can not watch any kind of fear or scary movies I would have a nervous breakdown and nightmares

claudiaojedacamposh :

But I have a very active imagination 😰

Judy Lynn :

The high pitch ringing in your videos 😳 I have a hard time listening to what you’re saying. 😢

Daniel Stone :

yeah horror movies are great till my bf tries to recreat the jumpscares😭

🌙mingukkie☀️ :

So whats that background noise in the video?Does anyone else hear it? My jaw started to hurt while watching this and hearing that noise

Uncle Waffle House ❌ :

Everytime, I promise😂😂😂🔥

Scubatuna :

My anxiety creates threats all the time for me 🥰

Nora Cummings :

u_m_m_m_m :

Peek-a-boo is scary??! I always considered it a “where did they go” type game.

SNS :

Therapist here...I have PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, I LOVE recreational fear. It provides an outlet for my anxiety and then the calm afterwards allows for a release that I wouldn't have normally

Juic3y :

Im not sure what that high pitched noise is in your background but I can’t focus on the video because of it😊