Short Wave

The Science Of Fear And Horror Movies

19 snips
Oct 6, 2025
Join psychiatrist Arash Javanbakht, a fear aficionado and author of 'Afraid,' as he explores the intriguing science behind fear and anxiety. He explains the thrill of horror movies, suggesting they're therapeutic thanks to our brain's overlapping response to fear and excitement. Arash breaks down the differences between fear and anxiety, revealing that a significant portion of people experience anxiety disorders. He also delves into the evolution of fear, the therapeutic potential of exposure therapy, and how augmented reality can transform treatment for phobias.
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INSIGHT

Distinct Roles Of Fear And Anxiety

  • Fear targets clear, immediate threats while anxiety expects vague future harms.
  • Both systems evolved to protect us and remain useful in modern life despite mismatches.
INSIGHT

Evolution Explains Misplaced Alarms

  • Our fight-or-flight responses evolved for physical, immediate dangers like predators.
  • Those same responses often misfire in modern situations, producing disproportionate arousal that impairs function.
INSIGHT

Why Thrill Feels Like Fear Without Danger

  • The biology of thrill overlaps with the biology of fear because both activate the sympathetic nervous system.
  • That overlap explains why people enjoy horror: it arouses you while cognition keeps you safe and in control.
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