With Halloween at our doorsteps, many revelers are going out to haunted houses or staying in to watch a creepy movie. While many of us indulge in horror this time of year, we don’t often stop to think about why we love the idea of being spooked. It turns out, there’s a psychological reason for the thrill that comes along with fear.

So why do we actually find pleasure from fear? According to Psychology Today, “Many of us are actually seeking ‘controlled’ fear and suspense when we know we are safe.” The article continues to explain that “Our brains are good at what they do – so, if we are in a setting where we get a ‘safe’ fright (watching a horror film, visiting a haunted house, or playing a scary video game), our brains will quickly evaluate the situation and tell us we’re free from risk.” 

When interviewing staff and students at LRHS, everyone agreed that fear can be fun if people know that they are safe. Psychology Today builds on the concept of pleasure from fear by saying that in general, people like the adrenaline rush that you get from experiencing a scary situation. Plus, sometimes our brains need a break from everyday life routines, so a fear-induced activity can provide stimulation for the brain, making the new experience more entertaining.

Some of the Lakeland Lancers’ favorite ways to experience the thrill of an adrenaline rush from fear is “a cozy scary movie watching experience,” according to Media Specialist Ms. Kali Spoelstra. 

Others prefer a tangible scare. “Clowns and chainsaws in a hallway,” said junior Tyler Brown. 

History teacher Mr. Richard Wiley believes that “something that creates just enough fear so that it feels real even though it is just for fun” is an ideal scary experience. 

Not only is it fun to experience fear for some, but when experiencing fright with others, it makes it even more enjoyable. Forbes has brought up the reasoning behind this, and it’s because social bonds between people can grow when you share an experience that holds up a lot of harsh emotions–such as walking through haunted houses together and watching scary movies with friends. 

When asked what their initial reaction to fear is, Mr. Wiley said that he will jump. Brown said, “I scream.” Ms. Spoelstra said, “I go through a range of emotions, all of the above: [scream, jump, run away, etc.]” and junior Erin Buynie said that she tends to scream. Once those feelings subside, there is a sense of relief after the realization that everything that we are seeing is not real.