Halloween is the time for funny sweets, jokes, apple cider donuts, and horror stories. The latter on this list are usually the cause of fun and laughter. But can fear be dangerous? And is it possible to literally be scared to death?
Scientists answer these questions in short: yes.
Fear hormone
The point is this: when a person is scared, a special hormone is produced, the effect of which can be felt on oneself, playing, for example, at hide and seek. It's called adrenaline. Fear causes a state of emotional instability and stress. They, in turn, trigger the body's fight-or-flight response.
This reaction is a kind of defense mechanism in the face of a potential threat. A person's sweating increases sharply, the level of anxiety and excitement increases. The concentration of glucose in the blood jumps, the heart rate increases. Like a beast driven into a corner, a person loses the ability to think rationally, his behavior becomes unpredictable - but this is what can ultimately lead to salvation.
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What is the danger of fear
Now, back to the adrenaline rush. It is this hormone that triggers the mentioned processes in the body. However, one of the organs of the human body may not withstand such a load. Instant death will not occur if, for example, kidney or liver failure occurs. But if the heart ceases to function, then things are really bad.
What happens to the body if the adrenaline level in the blood rises dramatically? Adrenaline leads to the fact that the flow of calcium to the heart through the blood increases sharply. With this calcium bombardment, it is difficult for the heart to maintain its normal beat. As a result, a phenomenon such as ventricular fibrillation can occur. An irregular heartbeat causes less blood to flow to other organs in the body and limbs.
If medical measures are not taken immediately, then this can result in a sudden death.
Should you be afraid of fear
Of course, such a death is a rather rare case, so you should not be afraid. Ventricular fibrillation can be caused by many of the events of everyday life that trigger an adrenaline rush, from playing your favorite hockey team for the Stanley Cup to having sex.
In any case, it’s best to balance your mind when preparing for your Halloween pranks, especially if you have any heart problems. And it is possible that choosing a movie for a festive viewing is not from the list of the scariest movies in history, but, for example, from the scariest movies … for children.
Author: Maxim Ewald