I’ve never understood the appeal of horror. It’s similar to how I feel about whiskey or atonal jazz: anyone who says they love it must be faking it. Because what do you MEAN you enjoy feeling terrified? I watched Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” as a teenager, and for years afterward I’d hear the screeching violins in my head whenever I showered. (If you know, you know.) I never touched the stuff again.
But it’s nearly Halloween, that rare moment in culture when we embrace the morbid, the supernatural, the creepy — which means horror is everywhere. And yet, for a genre I’ve sworn off, loving it actually makes a lot of sense, psychologically.
As neuroscientist Dr. Arash Javanbakht shared on Short Wave, watching a scary movie is a way to safely hack our biology. You get the thrilling adrenaline rush of your fight-or-flight reaction — pounding heart, sweaty palms — but your cognitive brain knows you’re safe on the couch.
For some, this tension and release is genuinely therapeutic. Javanbakht notes that it can provide a sense of control over anxiety that we don’t always get in real life. Personally, I like my ghosts friendly and will be sticking to “Casper” this year… with a huge bag of candy corn nearby.
Wishing you mild thrills & chills,
👻 Julia
P.S.
Are you a horror fan? And if not, what’s your preferred way to feel a rush of adrenaline? Talking to strangers? Rock climbing? Let us know!
The week’s best episodes
…to share with your local vampire, witch, or friendly ghost
🧟 If you’re someone who WANTS to be scared Spooked has a cult following: listeners who love hearing the creepy, real-life supernatural stories. I started with this fan-favorite episode about a paramedic, and I listened to the whole thing even though I was scared — please clap!
🕵️ Econ nerds love true crime, too
84% of the US population ages 13 and up consume some form of true crime (aka real life horror). Trust the folks over at The Indicator to turn terror into a lesson about economics.
🍲 Spooky season is also soup-y season
Nothing pairs better with crisp air and waiting for trick-or-treaters like a good soup. This episode from Life Kit has tips on everything from creating a yummy broth to perfecting your cook time.
🗡️ Subverting horror stereotypes
I may not like watching scary movies, but I do love the analysis. This Code Switch episode offers a great look at how horror has evolved with regard to race. (I just found out that host B.A. Parker used to be a film professor! Checks out.)
Did you know that Halloween’s origins are over two thousand years old? Throughlineunpacks it all, including the predecessor of the jack-o’-lantern… the ghost turnip. Is it just me or is he kinda cute?
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