Most people, except horror fans and adrenaline junkies, tend to avoid frightening phenomena. However, recent research shows that such experiences can provide surprising health benefits by boosting immune function.
A study from Aarhus University in Denmark, published in Brain, behavior and immunityexamined the link between anxiety-inducing activities and the immune system.
Researchers observed 22 individuals with low levels of inflammation as they spent 50 minutes in haunted houses full of creepy clowns, zombies and chainsaw-wielding actors.
More than 80% of participants showed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers, with almost half returning to normal levels. A larger study of 91 volunteers also reported notable immune changes after similar experiences.
These haunted house visits, like roller coasters, produced physiological responses similar to the “runner’s high,” characterized by adrenaline and endorphin spikes.
However, their specific effects on immune function remain less understood. The study showed a decrease in the number of immune cells, such as lymphocytes and monocytes, that fight tumors and pathogens.
Interestingly, participants without pre-existing inflammation experienced a greater decrease in white blood cells such as eosinophils and basophils.
The researchers theorize that acute anxiety may activate the body’s defense mechanisms, similar to stress responses caused by cold exposure. Animal studies have shown that anxiety can stimulate the adrenergic system, responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response, which prepares the immune system for injury or infection.
Studies in humans have linked this response to the anti-inflammatory effects of cold exposure, but the role of anxiety in initiating these processes requires further confirmation.
During the haunted house experience, participants reported persistent moderate to high levels of anxiety, with a heart rate averaging 112 beats per minute. This prolonged activity, lasting almost an hour, mirrors the effects of cold immersion in controlling inflammation.
The researchers call for further studies to investigate the role of the adrenergic system and the longevity of these effects, potentially positioning recreational anxiety as a new health strategy.
Can haunted house visits or other fear-based activities fight inflammation or boost immunity? Although more research is needed, this unconventional approach may hold promise for health promotion.
