Discover the surprising health effects of horror movies! We explore the pros, like calorie burning and anxiety coping, and the cons, such as increased blood clot risk and heart palpitations, to help you decide if scary flicks are right for you.
Okay so, you know how some people love horror movies, but others can’t even stand the thought? Well, does watching scary flicks *actually* mess with your health? We’re gonna dig into that, and maybe think twice before our next movie night, alright?
How Do Horror Movies Affect Health?
Glenn Sparks, a communications professor at Purdue University, did a study on how horror movies affect our bodies. He basically found that watching them can trigger a bunch of physical reactions:
- Increased heart rate.
- Sweating in your palms.
- Body temperature fluctuations.
- Muscle tension.
- Changes in blood flow.
- Rapid breathing.
- Goosebumps.
So yeah, horror movies have a pretty clear impact. Is it something to *really* worry about? Opinions, uh, differ. Some say it’s all good, others think it could be harmful. Let’s get into the details, shall we?
Benefits of Watching Horror Movies
Following up on that question: How do horror movies *actually* affect your health? Now, let’s look at some of the upsides of watching them:
1. Burning Calories From Fear
Researchers at the University of Westminster (in Britain, mind you) found that watching a 90-minute scary movie can burn around 113 calories! That’s like, what, almost a candy bar? They figured the scarier the movie, the more calories you torch. They even hooked people up to machines while watching a bunch of different horror movies. Turns out, all that adrenaline and heavy breathing actually boosts your metabolism and burns energy.
2. Coping With Anxiety and Reducing Boredom
According to Mark D. Griffiths, a behavioral addiction expert at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, watching horror movies can be a way to deal with anxieties, boredom, and feeling down. The intense emotions can kinda distract you from whatever else is going on, which might be helpful. It’s almost like facing your fears in a safe space, if you think about it.
3. Strengthening Your Defense Mechanisms
Think watching scary movies can make you tough? Turns out there might be something to that! A study at Coventry University had people give blood samples before and after watching a horror movie. They found that white blood cell counts actually increased afterward. White blood cells, of course, are important parts of our immune system, so it kinda makes sense that our bodies would respond to the perceived threat of a scary movie by getting ready to fight off infection.
4. Improving Mood
Horror movies can, oddly enough, boost your mood by releasing chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate. These chemicals are linked to pleasure and can help counteract feelings of stress, fear, or boredom. It’s kind of like a rollercoaster—the adrenaline rush can leave you feeling surprisingly good afterward.
5. Strengthening Social Bonds
Some studies show that horror movies can make your relationships stronger, making you extra clingy! One study at Indiana University involved 36 couples. They found that couples where one partner was scared, and the other wasn’t, actually felt *closer* to each other. So, seems like horror movies can be a fun way to bond, especially if you like comforting your sweetheart when they jump out of their skin. Me? I jump *into* my sweethearts’ skin, not out of it.
Cons of Watching Horror Movies
Okay, so how *do* horror movies mess with your health? Here are some of the possible downsides:
1. Increased Risk of Blood Clots
A 2015 study from The University of Leiden found that horror movies might increase blood clot risk. Researchers looked at blood samples from 24 people before and after watching a scary movie. Results showed more of a protein (Factor VIII) that causes blood clotting. The researchers think it may be that our bodies are responding in a protective way to the constant fear but that fear is unnatural, and it triggers the body to do its job too often.
2. Heart Palpitations for Some
If you have a history of heart problems, scary movies might not be your best bet. The sudden shock and fear can cause palpitations. The adrenaline released can also make your heart work harder and faster than it should, which could be dangerous, if, say, you’re already living on the edge.
So, whether or not horror movies are okay for *you* depends on *you*, I guess.
I used to have trouble sleeping, but after watching a horror movie marathon, I was so exhausted from being scared that I slept like a baby! I definitely wouldn’t recommend it as a long-term solution, but it worked in a pinch.
I love horror movies, but I’ve noticed that I get really anxious afterward. I try to balance it out by watching something funny or relaxing before bed.
Myth & Facts
Myth: Horror movies are always bad for your health.
Fact: It really depends on your individual health and how you react to them.
Question: Can watching horror movies help me lose weight?
Answer: Maybe a *little* bit, but there are definitely healthier ways to burn calories!
So, after all that, do I think horror movies are terrible for you? Nah. For *me*, it’s all about balance. If I’m feeling stressed, maybe I’ll skip the slasher flick and go for something lighter. But if I’m bored and need a thrill? Bring on the zombies, I say!
