Why can't I watch horror movies? A signal that my brain has 'these characteristics'

The reason why some people are good at watching horror movies while others are not lies in 'amygdala sensitivity.' The amygdala is a part of the brain that assesses how dangerous a fear-inducing situation is and, together with the cerebral cortex, responds appropriately based on the level of threat. Depending on the amygdala's decision, the hypothalamus sends signals to the autonomic nervous system, activating the sympathetic nervous system to help our body fight or flee from fear. Pupils dilate, heart rate speeds up, and breathing becomes rapid. Hair stands on end all over the body, muscles contract, and sweating increases. The reason why watching horror movies can feel refreshing is because, at this moment, sweat evaporates, giving a chilling sensation.

People who are good at watching horror movies have low amygdala sensitivity. Since their amygdala does not react strongly to horror films, they tend to seek out increasingly scarier and more intense content to stimulate their amygdala. On the other hand, people with high amygdala sensitivity have their amygdala respond well even in normal situations, making them easily startled and tired. When they are additionally stimulated by horror movies, it can be experienced as pain.

People with sensitive amygdalae may harm their health if they forcibly watch horror movies. Excessive stimulation of the amygdala leads to the release of stress hormones, creating a state similar to being under excessive stress. Chronic stress increases the risk of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can also raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A five-year follow-up study of 498 patients' brains and arteries by a research team at Massachusetts General Hospital found that overactivation of the amygdala increases arterial inflammation levels, thereby raising the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

People with high amygdala sensitivity can activate the parasympathetic nervous system to alleviate amygdala stimulation. The easiest method is 'breathing.' Exhalation stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxing the body's tension and stabilizing the amygdala. One of the fastest breathing techniques to relax the body is the '4-4-8 breathing.' It is a stress relief method developed by Professor Hideyuki Negoro of Harvard Medical School, who analyzed 50,000 people. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, then exhale for 8 seconds. Continue for about 5 minutes. Professor Hideyuki recommends trying the '4-4-8 breathing' every 60 to 90 minutes. Using massage balls or foam rollers to relax contracted muscles is also a way to stabilize the amygdala. Relaxing muscles sends signals to the brain that it is okay to release tension, which stabilizes the amygdala. Research from the Department of Psychology at the University of Konstanz in Germany also shows that a few minutes of massage significantly stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and greatly reduces body tension. Additionally, meditation is also a good method.