Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark investigated how visiting scary attractions affects inflammatory processes in the human body. A total of 69 women and 44 men participated in the study. The experiment took place in a “Haunted House” located in an abandoned factory. The attraction consisted of 50 themed rooms. In each room, participants encountered actors in creepy costumes: killer clowns, decaying zombies, butchers in bloodied aprons, and many others. The eerie atmosphere was enhanced by decorations, sound, and lighting effects. Researchers monitored heart rate and assessed overall fear levels using the Likert scale throughout the event (approximately 50 minutes).
Scared? Great! Scientists have found that fear can have positive effects on health.
Sometimes, we crave a thrill: watching a horror movie, going to a horror-themed escape room, or riding roller coasters. These activities can help relieve stress and release negative emotions. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Researchers from Denmark have discovered that extreme entertainment not only boosts your energy but also has positive effects on your health.
https://www.techinsider.ru/science/1667129-bu-ispugalis-otlichno-uchenye-vyyasnili-chto-strah-polojitelno-vliyaet-na-zdorove/2024-11-25 08:19:07
Fear and stress are crucial protective mechanisms of our body. When we experience fear, a specific system (adrenergic) is activated. It prepares the body for danger, triggering one of the reactions: “fight or flight.” Chronic stress is harmful to health. It disrupts heart function, raises blood pressure, and deteriorates sleep. However, a brief scare, as it turns out, can actually strengthen the immune system. Likert scale is a psychometric scale used to measure people's opinions. It often consists of questions or statements with response options: “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neutral,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree.” 
Participants in the experiment are startled by the sudden appearance of an actorMedical Xpress / Dystopia Entertainment
“Haunted House”: New Research on the Impact of Fear on Health
Blood samples indicated the presence of inflammation among the participants. They provided blood tests before the experiment, immediately after it, and three days later. Researchers recorded the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the number of immune cells.
Participants in the experiment are startled by the sudden appearance of an actorMedical Xpress / Dystopia Entertainment Experiment Results
Before the study, 22 participants exhibited mild inflammation. Three days after visiting the “Haunted House,” most of them (18 individuals) showed a decrease in C-reactive protein levels: from 5.7 to 3.7 mg/L (a value not exceeding 5 mg/L is considered normal). However, researchers also noted an opposite effect: the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes—immune system cells that protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens—decreased in the participants' blood. But there’s no need for concern—all indicators remained within normal ranges.
The researchers concluded that recreational (i.e., “entertaining”) fear can reduce inflammatory processes, but not completely halt them. The number of individuals with abnormal test results changed very little: it was about 20% initially, and approximately 17% after three days. The authors plan to continue research on the effects of fear on health. Perhaps in a few years, instead of pills and ointments, doctors will prescribe visits to a “fear room” or watching favorite horror movies!