We are a couple weeks into October, which means that Halloween is approaching quickly. There is already a Halloween-candy section in the grocery store and pumpkins available for sale all over Gainesville. Also, just a couple hours away, there are two super scary attractions taking over theme parks. Howl-O-Scream is now at Tampa's Busch Gardens until Oct. 29 and Halloween Horror Nights is at Universal Studios until Oct. 31.
What is it that makes these scary attractions so thrilling? Haunted houses activate some of our most innate fears, including darkness, unpredictability and anticipated pain. When we encounter something scary, our body activates a "fight or flight" mechanism. This activates adrenaline and other chemicals in our bodies, causing increased heart rate, blood pressure and palpitations. So when we see a bloody zombie running at us with a knife, our body naturally becomes very emotionally aroused.
The emotional "fight or flight" response occurs before any rational response, meaning that even if we know that this is only a man dressed in a fake zombie outfit, our body reacts before we can convince ourselves of that fact. Thus, you can walk into a haunted house knowing that it's not real, but your body will still react as though you are in serious danger. That's what makes the experience so exciting.
Our bodies also react to the mere expectation of being scared. Science writer Jeff Wise looked into the impact Halloween attractions have on our bodies and came across research by Michigan cardiologist Nathan Foster. While waiting in line for a haunted house, willing participants had their blood pressure measured. Just the anticipation of being scared had these people's blood pressure well above the normal range. Then, their blood pressure was measured again right after they exited the attraction. Their blood pressure was then in the aerobic zone, which usually occurs after taking a long run.
So, are you ready to be terrified for an entire evening? Be sure to check out the websites for Howl-O-Scream and Halloween Horror Nights for discounted prices, because the non-discounted prices may be scarier than the attractions themselves.
Posts in Gator Minds appear on Wednesdays.
halloween night with pumpkin in grass tree bat and hunting house in background
