Scientists have been researching the chemistry of fear for many years now. The triggers in your brain that cause your fight or flight instincts are well known and can actually cause you quite a bit of harm.
If you are anything like me you are probably picturing yourself running into a wall as you turn away from whatever has spooked you in an attempt to escape. But this isn't the physical danger I am eluding to. The amount of adrenaline that flows through your body after being scared is enough to stop your heart.
Of course, I'm not telling you to avoid haunted houses or that a few practical jokes will kill you. The chances of a young, healthy person dying from freight is slim to none. What is known as Stress Cardiomyopathy Syndrome only affects the elderly whom might have existing heart issues. But what is it that causes us to be scared? And why do we involuntarily react to a guy jumping out from behind a wall in a haunted house even when we are expecting this to occur? What is it that makes us decide to either jump back or punch him square in the nose?
Being scared is a survival mechanism. The neurochemicals that are fired off from your brain will increase your heart rate and will divert blood from certain organs and send it towards your muscles, helping you run or fight. Your body prepares itself to take on the danger, protecting you from evil.
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| Glutamate |
When you are scared, the part of your brain that receives the signal, the amygdala, releases glutamate to other parts of your brain. First, it will cause you to freeze. According to Abigail Marsh, a professor of psychology at Georgetown University, this is an evolutionary reaction that allows you to stay hidden from a potential predator. After this, your body will automatically decide whether to run for your life or fight whatever it is that has scared you. Your body might instinctively decide to fight or it might kick into gear and realize that fleeing the scene is the best option. Both of these reactions are caused by adrenaline flowing through your body. For a deeper explanation, check out the video below.
A lot of us actually seek out this feeling of adrenaline, and more so the feeling after your brain realizes that there is nothing to be scared of. This feeling of euphoria is caused by your body coming back down to the "rest and digest" mode. Your heart rate and breathing will decrease, leaving you with a feeling of comfort and relief. No wonder in the US alone the Haunted House industry value is estimated to be over $300 Million a year.
Check out these links for hilarious videos from a local haunted house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qScSyfgl15w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6RzAnBiSk8
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