By Cheyenne Macdonald For Dailymail.com
Published: 19:42 GMT, 8 February 2019 | Updated: 19:44 GMT, 8 February 2019
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The horror genre has long maintained its popularity despite fear otherwise being a negative experience.
According to new research, this may be in part because horror entertainment gives us a sense of control over our fears and stimulates the emotions.
In one of several recent studies designed to shed light on the phenomenon, the researchers analyzed the mental tactics used by haunted house attendees to either maximize or reduce their fear.
The horror genre has long maintained its popularity despite fear otherwise being a negative experience. According to new research, this may be in part because horror entertainment gives us a sense of control over our fears and stimulates the emotions. Stock image
In a recent study, neuropsychiatrist Valerie Voon explains how thrill-seeking behaviours all boil down to dopamine.
This is the brain's 'pleasure chemical,' and can be activated by rewarding experiences, including eating, having sex, or taking drugs.
Studies have shown that an active dopamine system can make us take more risks,
