Simran Joshi
Haunted houses, typically associated with spine-chilling thrills, may offer more than just a frightful experience. Recent research suggests that visiting these fear-inducing attractions can have surprising health benefits.
A study conducted in Denmark found that exposure to fear in haunted houses can reduce inflammation in the body, potentially offering a natural way to combat low-grade inflammation. This finding sheds new light on how facing fear might contribute to overall health in unexpected ways.
Visiting haunted houses is often seen merely as a thrilling experience, but research proves that it’s even good for health. By scaring you, the adrenergic system in your body is stimulated and you are ready for the classic fight-or-flight response. This would again quickly elevate your heart rate and increase alertness of the body in preparation to survive better.
This fear response, however, may also have beneficial long-term consequences. It has been discovered that there is the ability to decrease low-grade inflammation in the body. Inflammation is thought to be responsible for many health problems, and short-term reduction may contribute to improved general health for those afflicted with chronic inflammatory diseases.
The Vejle, Denmark Study
A study conducted in the Vejle, Denmark, Haunted House on Halloween Day ascertained the impact of fear on inflammation. Previsit and three days post-visit inflammatory markers were monitored and determined in blood tests taken before and immediately after visiting the haunted house. Results showed a marked decrease in their inflammatory levels, especially in those patients who had their CRP levels increased.
This is indeed a promising finding, but there were limitations to the study. It was uncontrolled for outside influences such as drinking alcohol or smoking. The sample size and demographic were also limited. However, as has been reported here, exposure to controlled fear, such as visiting a haunted house, may have some unsuspected health benefits.
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