Could scary movies and shows actually be harming your health? I asked a doctor

Brat summer fades into a more mild autumn means one thing: mid-year Gilmore girls rewatch. The classic TV show is as comforting as it is nostalgic, and after a stressful day (or week), it’s so soothing to return to Star Hollows, where the biggest issues are whether or not Rory gets into Harvard. But with Halloween fast approaching, many people are getting into the spirit and queuing up for scary movies and horror films that offer a dose of adrenaline and excitement.

After coming across many wellness writers like Steph Flockhart who credit the consumption of “cortisol-friendly substances” for “helping” them manage their stress levels and improve their overall well-being, I wonder if I watch high-cortisol TV shows or movies (entertainment that intended to make us feel scared, stressed or excited) can actually have a negative effect on mental and physical health. There must be a reason why I’m leaning Gilmore girls when I want to relax, but does that mean this scary stuff has the opposite effect? Here’s what an expert had to say.

Can watching scary shows and movies increase your cortisol levels?

While watching again Beetlejuice Before seeing the sequel in theaters might make you laugh or bring back fond memories, said Dr. Azza Halim, who is a licensed physician, that watching horror films and heart-pounding thrillers can have the opposite effect. “Watching thrillers, horror movies, or tense TV shows can increase cortisol levels and stress hormones through the ‘fight or flight’ response, which is the body’s natural response to perceived threat or stress,” said Dr. Halim.

Even though you know it The ring is just a movie and not your reality, your body doesn’t know if a threat is real or not; it will trigger the same stress response of stress. When you watch a horror movie, you may experience the same symptoms you would experience in a dangerous or stressful situation in real life, such as a racing heart, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and faster breathing. This, in turn, can cause the nervous system to release cortisol as well as adrenaline and norepinephrine (the hormone that prepares your body and mind to take action in dangerous situations).

How does cortisol affect the body?

Cortisol is a hormone that is important for the body. Cortisol rises in the morning to wake us up and maintain energy throughout the day, and it is also known as the “stress hormone” because it is released when the brain perceives a potential threat, signaling various functions in the body, such as an increased heart rate. speed and adrenaline so you can theoretically fight or run away from the threat. This process affects various systems of the body, from the cardiovascular system to the intestines to the immune system.

Where cortisol gets a bad rap is because most of us aren’t dealing with individual tigers that we need to escape from, but are dealing with stressors that stimulate cortisol on a daily, hourly, or even minute-to-minute basis, leading to chronic cortisol. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can cause adrenal fatigue and negatively affect everything from inflammation to digestion.

So is watching scary shows and movies bad for your health?

The short answer: It depends. Dr. Halim said that for the most part, tuning in to an exciting new show or your favorite scary movie shouldn’t have long-term health effects. These hormonal spikes are temporary, usually lasting as long as the material you’re looking at, and can include a pleasurable fall. “Such a rise in cortisol is short-lived, and for some people it can promote adrenaline rushes during and immediately after watching, which can be pleasurable as the body quickly returns to a relaxed state once the tension or fear has passed,” said Dr. Halim.

While most people shouldn’t worry about cortisol spikes from watching stressful or scary content here and there, people who find it particularly disturbing may experience long-term effects, such as sleep problems or feelings of anxiety. What is considered stressful varies from person to person, as does each person’s current state of stress. If your body already has chronically elevated cortisol levels from other stressful factors in your life, such as demanding work or school commitments, a mental health condition such as anxiety, or negative world events, engaging in stressful entertainment can increase it. “If someone is particularly sensitive to stress or is already experiencing high levels of stress, repeated exposure to intense media could potentially contribute to chronically elevated cortisol and stress hormones,” said Dr. Halim.

Since each person’s stressors and stress tolerance are different, check in with yourself, decide how to minimize cortisol spikes throughout the day, and talk to a doctor if you feel you’re chronically stressed or suspect you have symptoms of high cortisol . For example, you may want to consider turning on lighter entertainment instead of a scary movie if you’ve been feeling stressed. You can also put yourself in a better frame of mind to consume stressful material 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 relaxing music.

Can Watching Light Shows and Movies Lower Your Cortisol Levels?

According to Dr. Halim, putting on a light romance or funny movie can be just as effective in the short term as other cortisol-lowering activities like meditation or exercise. When you laugh, your brain releases happy hormones such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. The release of happy hormones can reduce stress and significantly reduce cortisol levels. In a 2023 study, researchers found that one bout of laughter led to a 36.7 percent drop in cortisol.

This doesn’t mean you should completely discount exercise and calming practices like meditation—both of which have great long-term benefits for reducing chronic stress and reducing mental health issues like anxiety—but regularly adding laughter to your routine can go a long way for your spirituality. and physical health. Studies have also found that watching calming content, especially nature scenes, can lower your heart rate. If you’re stressed, Dr. Halim to choose “comedies, nature documentaries, cartoons, romantic movies, or anything else that lightens the mood,” as long as it “promotes laughter and a sense of calm,” which can reduce your body’s production of cortisol.

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

If you’re experiencing more stress than usual, are dealing with chronic cortisol, or decide that high-cortisol entertainment isn’t for you, try one of these seasonal shows or movies that serve up a stress-free atmosphere.

1. Gilmore girls

2. Hocus pocus

3. When Harry met Sally

4. Practical magic

5. Halloween town

6. Sweet Home Alabama

7. Beetlejuice

8. Pride and Prejudice

9. Friday night lights