It is said online that watching horror movies can help you lose weight, but I advise you to be cautious!!

I saw a short video some time ago: watching horror movies can help you lose weight.

Image source: Screenshot of TikTok video

There is such a good thing! Is it true?

In fact, it is very difficult to lose weight by watching horror movies. It is said that watching a 90-minute horror movie can burn at least 113 kcal and at most 184 kcal, which is equivalent to the calories burned by walking for 30 minutes. These data actually come from a study in 2012. This study was an informal study commissioned by a movie rental service company. The study has not been peer-reviewed or published, so we should treat the above data with caution.

However, this study has caused heated discussions because when we watch horror movies, our bodies will trigger a series of reactions, such as an increase in heart rate, and we will consume more calories than sitting still. However, this consumption is not that much, and it is unlikely that we will watch horror movies for a long time and keep ourselves in a state of fear. Therefore, it is difficult to prove the actual effect of watching horror movies on weight loss. Friends who want to lose weight by watching horror movies are advised to find other reliable methods, such as the classic "control your mouth and move your legs"!

Having said that, many of our friends like to watch horror movies. What impact does this have on our physical and mental health?

01 What changes will happen to our body when watching horror movies?

When you see a horror movie on the screen, the reaction will extend to the whole body. This is because the brain will send out alarm signals, activating the autonomic nervous system by increasing the secretion of cortisol and adrenaline, triggering the following reactions:

▶ Increased heart rate

In 2013, researchers at the University of Amsterdam conducted a study on a group of young people and found that watching horror movies can cause heart rate to increase by 14 beats per minute. [1] The study also found that when watching horror movies, people's blood pressure will also increase significantly, the number of white blood cells in the blood will increase, and the hematocrit concentration will increase, as if the body is trying to resist an invader. [2]

▶ Start sweating

Skin conductivity is one of the leading indicators of emotional arousal. In other words, sweating is an important sign that a person is scared. Researchers at the University of Wollongong analyzed a group of people’s reactions to violent and scary movies and noticed that those with higher empathy tended to sweat more when watching these movies, and showed no signs of addiction [3].

▶Muscle tension

When horror scenes come one after another and are accompanied by chilling background music, once the brain detects the threat and sends out alarm signals, it is difficult to stop the body from reacting. Researchers at the University of Amsterdam found that in these movies, the music produces what is known as an "alarm response," where the body and mind react to sudden stimuli at the same time, causing the muscles in the hands and feet to contract. This is why we always tense our muscles when watching horror movies [1].

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02 Why do we watch horror movies?

Watching horror movies will make people scared and nervous, causing a series of physical reactions. Despite this, why do we still watch horror movies, and some people even like to watch horror movies?

There are a few main theories about why we enjoy horror movies.

▶Excitation transfer theory

Zillman, a psychology professor at the University of Alabama, believes that the important components of horror movies are suspense and the resolution of suspense. When the suspense or threat is resolved, our negative emotions will turn into excitement or relief. This theory emphasizes that the audience gets pleasure from the negative emotions such as fear accumulated from watching horror movies, and at the same time, the resolution of the threat will also make the audience get a positive emotional response.

▶The uses and gratification theory of film consumption

Researchers such as Katz believe [4] that people's love for movies is related to destruction, excitement, and unpredictability. This theory holds that people's love and pursuit of film and television works are due to their specific needs for stimulation and the pleasure they feel when their needs are met. Associate Professor Green of Rutgers University and Gemar of the University of Connecticut found [5] that characteristics such as sensation seeking, verbal aggression, and the love of arguing have been found to be positively correlated with the love of watching horror and violent movies. However, this does not mean that all people who like excitement and arguments will like horror movies.

Some researchers have also suggested that excitement itself may be self-rewarding. In 1991, Tamborini proposed in "Horror Movies: The Latest Research on Audience Preferences and Reactions" that the act of watching horror movies provides us with a stimulus that we will like and enjoy regardless of the outcome. The pleasure of excitement will motivate us to continue watching to maintain this level of excitement.

03 Be aware of the negative effects of horror movies

While adrenaline contributes to our overall experience when watching a movie, the high can make it difficult to fall asleep. Even the excitement some people feel after watching a horror movie is activating, not relaxing. Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Center for Media Psychology, said that even for those who enjoy roller coaster-like emotional experiences, horror and suspense movies can make it difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, friends who are prone to insomnia or have important arrangements the next day should pay attention to the possible insomnia effects of watching horror movies.

At the same time, people who are already in an anxious state are more susceptible to the negative effects of horror movies. Dr. Rutledge explained that long-term anxiety can increase sensitivity to frightening stimuli, making people who are already nervous and anxious more likely to have negative reactions and misinterpret the physical reactions of watching horror movies as real threats. Patients who already suffer from anxiety disorders need to be more careful, as horror movies may trigger fear tendencies toward intrusive thoughts and images, increasing anxiety or panic. Therefore, those who are already in an anxious mood should consider carefully and try to avoid watching horror movies to avoid causing unnecessary thoughts and feelings.

04 Tips for watching horror movies safely

▶Find a sub-type that suits you

There are many types of horror movies, and you need to understand your own preferences and tolerance. For example, some horror movies have bloody scenes. If the bloody scenes make you feel uncomfortable for a long time, it is best to change to another type, such as supernatural or psychological thriller.

▶ Put your own feelings first

The most important thing to remember when watching horror movies is to be mindful of your own comfort level. Be prepared to set boundaries and assert yourself when discussing watching a movie with a friend. Don't make yourself uncomfortable just because someone else wants to watch something you might find upsetting. It's important to assess your current emotions and how the content on the screen affects you, and stop if you feel uncomfortable.

▶ Watch in moderation. Be mindful not only of what you watch, but also how much you consume.

While it might be tempting to marathon-watch horror movies all month long, doing so comes with some risks. A 2017 study from the University of Toledo found that binge-watching TV or movies can increase anxiety symptoms and disrupt sleep, even when it's not a horror movie. The study also found that participants who watched more than 2 hours of TV per night showed higher levels of depression than those who watched less TV. Binge-watching horror movies can also increase adrenaline production in the body, making sleep problems worse. So don't binge-watch!

Most importantly, if you have an uncomfortable physiological reaction while watching a movie, you can stop watching it at any time. Your mental health is the most important thing! I wish everyone can enjoy their favorite movies.

References:

【1】Bos, MG, Jentgens, P., Beckers, T., & Kindt, M. (2013). Psychophysiological response patterns to affective film stimuli. PloS one, 8(4), e62661.

【2】Mian, R., Shelton-Rayner, G., Harkin, B., & Williams, P. (2003). Observing a Fictitious Stressful Event: Haematological Changes, Including Circulating Leukocyte Activation. Stress, 6(1), 41–47.

【3】Barry, RJ & Bruggemann, JM (2002) Eysenck's P as a modulator of affective and electrodermal responses to violent and comic film. Personality and Individual Differences; 32(6): 1029–1048.

【4】Katz, E., Blumler, JG, & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and Gratifications Research. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509–523. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2747854

【5】Greene, K., & Krcmar, M. (2005). Predicting exposure to and liking of media violence: a uses and gratifications approach. Communication Studies, 56(1), 71–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/0008957042000332250

Author: Yiyi, Master of Applied Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Reviewer: Tang Yicheng, editor of the National Psychological Service Grassroots Collaboration Network, deputy secretary-general of the Psychology Popularization Working Committee of the Chinese Psychological Society

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Produced by: China Science and Technology Press Co., Ltd., China Science and Technology Publishing House (Beijing) Digital Media Co., Ltd.