Ghosts & Hauntings

Visiting a haunted house could be good for your health, new study claims

By T.K. Randall
December 7, 2024

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) Fear is one of the most primal of emotions; it protects us from harm by stopping us from doing things or entering situations that might be dangerous.

Some people, however, like to actively seek out and experience fear wherever possible.

Now according to a new study by scientists in Denmark, fear can actually have a surprisingly beneficial impact on our mental wellbeing (providing that there is no genuine danger.)

For the study, researchers monitored inflammation levels in the blood of volunteers before and after they visited a haunted house - one of those theme park experiences filled with monsters, zombies, ghosts and other nasties that jump out of the walls to frighten visitors.

Surprisingly, the results showed that inflammation levels had dropped after visiting the attraction.Like many activities such as bungee jumping or parachuting, getting a good scare can result in a boost of adrenaline and a surge of endorphins that scientists now believe may be beneficial to one's health.

Something similar also happens when you take a cold shower or take a plunge into cold water.

"[The findings] may be revealing a potential structural connection in the relationship between mental states and inflammation," the researchers wrote.

"While anxiety appears linked to low-grade, chronic inflammation, fear may be associated with the peak and subsequent resolution of inflammation."

"Future research should explore the adrenergic system's role and confirm the persistence of these effects."

Source: Science Alert

Tags: Haunted, Fear