Can Scary Movies and Shows Ruin Your Life? I asked the doctor

The fading summer to the deep autumn means one thing: my spring Gilmore Girls again again. The old TV show is equally comforting, and after a stressful day (or week), it’s very soothing to return to Star Hollows, where the big issues are whether Rory will get into Harvard or not. no. But as Halloween is fast approaching, many people get into the mood and stop the scary movies and horror games that give adrenaline and suspense.

After stumbling across many health innovators like Steph Flockhart who are buying “cortisol related stuff to help them” manage their stress levels and improve their overall health, I I wondered if watching TV shows or movies high cortisol (pun intended). making us feel nervous, stressed, or suspicious) can negatively affect mental and physical health. There must be a reason why I am attracted Gilmore Girls when I want to relax, but does that mean that those scary news have the opposite effect? Here is what the expert had to say.

Can watching scary shows and movies increase your Cortisol levels?

As you watch again Beetle juice before seeing the following in theaters it might make you laugh or bring back fond memories, board-certified physician dr. Azza Halim said watching horror movies and thrillers that make your heart race can have the opposite effect. Dr. Halim said: “Watching scary movies, or suspicious television programs can increase the level of cortisol and stress hormones through the ‘fight or flight’ response, which is the natural way that ‘ the body reacts when a person is threatened or stressed.

Even if you know that Ring it’s just a movie and not your reality, your body doesn’t know if the threat is real or not; it will produce the same amount of stress. When you watch a scary movie, you may experience symptoms similar to those you would experience in real life that are dangerous or stressful, such as palpitations, palpitations increased blood pressure, and rapid breathing. This, in turn, can cause the nervous system to release cortisol as well as adrenaline and norepinephrine (a hormone that prepares your body and mind to react to a dangerous situation).

How does cortisol affect the body?

Cortisol is an important hormone for the body. Cortisol wakes up in the morning to wake us up and keep us energized throughout the day, and it’s also known as the “stress hormone” because it’s released when the brain senses a potential threat, it shows different functions’ lines, such as increased heart rate. rush and adrenaline so you can theoretically fight or run away from a threat. This process affects various body systems from the cardiovascular system to the intestines to the immune system.

Where cortisol gets its bad rap is because most of us aren’t dealing with a tiger to run from, but dealing with stress that triggers cortisol on a daily, hourly, or minute-by-minute basis, leading to chronic cortisol. Prolonged high cortisol levels can cause adrenal fatigue, and negatively affect everything from inflammation to digestion.

So Is Watching Scary Shows And Movies Bad For Your Life?

Short answer: It depends. Dr. Halim said that most of the time, watching a great new show or your favorite horror movie shouldn’t have long-term effects on your life. These hormone spikes are temporary, usually lasting as long as the content you’re looking at, and can include a pleasant drop. “Such an increase in cortisol is temporary, and for some people, it can contribute to an adrenaline rush during and immediately after watching, which can be pleasant as their body recovers. which is comfortable once doubts or fears are over,” Dr. Halim said.

While most people don’t have to worry about cortisol spikes from watching stressful or anxiety-inducing content here and there, people who feel too stressed can experience lasting effects, such as difficulty concentrating. sleepiness or feelings of anxiety. What is considered stressful varies from person to person, as does each person’s current level of stress. If your body already has high levels of cortisol from other stressors in your life, such as heavy work or school commitments, mental health conditions such as anxiety , or bad events happening in the world, participating in stressful entertainment can make it worse. “If a person is particularly sensitive to stress or already has severe stress, repeated exposure to intense media may contribute to prolonged of cortisol and stress hormones,” Dr. Halim said.

Since everyone’s stress and stress tolerance levels are different, check in with yourself, plan a strategy to reduce cortisol spikes throughout the day, and talk to a doctor if you feel like you’re have depression or suspect you have symptoms of this disease. high cortisol. For example, you might want to consider turning on a light entertainment genre instead of a horror movie if you’re feeling overwhelmed. You can also put yourself in a better position to eat stressful news by doing things before and after to raise your endorphins and lower your cortisol, such as taking a relaxing yoga class, watching a funny movie, or listening to some relaxing music.

Can watching light shows and movies lower your Cortisol levels?

According to Dr. Halim, binge-watching a rom-com or funny movie can be as short-term as other cortisol-lowering activities like meditation or exercise. When you laugh, your brain releases happy hormones such as endorphin, dopamine and serotonin. The release of happy hormones can relieve stress and significantly reduce cortisol levels. In a 2023 study, scientists found that one period of laughter led to a 36.7 percent reduction in cortisol.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cut back on exercise and calming practices like meditation—both have great long-term benefits for reducing chronic stress and reducing health problems. just as good for the mind as anxiety – but adding laughter to your routine regularly can do a lot for your mind. and physical health. Studies have also found that watching quiet content, especially nature events, can lower your heart rate. If you feel stressed, Dr. Halim suggested that you choose “comedies, nature shows, cartoons, romantic movies, or anything that makes you feel down,” as long as it “feels like laughter and emotion.” quiet,” which can lower your mood. the body’s production of cortisol.

Low-Cortisol TV Shows and Movies to Watch for Slow Girl Fall

If you have higher-than-normal stress, deal with chronic cortisol, or decide that high-cortisol entertainment isn’t for you, try one of these shows or movies that suggest without stress.

1. Gilmore Girls

2. Hocus Pocus

3. When Harry met Sally

4. Magic That Works

5. Halloweentown

6. Sweet Home Alabama

7. Beetle juice

8. Pride and Prejudice

9. Friday Night Lights