Horror quests have a positive impact on the immune system.

Fear is traditionally viewed as a negative emotion, but in certain instances, it can be beneficial for health. For example, researchers have previously discovered that watching horror films aids in burning calories, boosting the immune system, and reducing stress levels. This is due to the sudden sounds and rapid scene changes, along with a gripping plot, which stimulate the production of hormones that affect the body's functioning. Findings from another study, published in 2021, indicated that horror enthusiasts coped better than others during the coronavirus pandemic.

To further understand how the voluntary experience of fear impacts the immune system, scientists invited 113 participants to visit a professionally designed haunted house (Dystopia Haunted House) in Vejle, Denmark. All participants went through 50 themed rooms filled with frightening elements, while actors portrayed zombies, creepy clowns, and chainsaw-wielding killers.

On average, each participant spent 50 minutes in the haunted house. The level of fear was measured through heart rate monitoring and self-reports from the participants. Blood samples were taken from all volunteers before the haunted house visit, after it, and again three days later. The experiment's authors then measured the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which serves as a marker of inflammation in the body, as well as the counts of various types of white blood cells—immune system cells.

The results of the study, presented in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, showed, that 22 out of 113 participants exhibited low-grade inflammation (hs-CRP > 3 mg/l) before attending the horror quest. Three days after the event, levels of inflammation decreased to normal values (hs-CRP 1-5 mg/l) in 10 of these 22 participants. Although the overall inflammation levels in all volunteers did not significantly change, 10 of the 22 participants with initially elevated readings showed a reduction.

The results also indicated that the total white blood cell and lymphocyte counts in the blood of the 113 participants decreased three days after the event (though they remained within normal ranges). This data suggests a general reduction in inflammatory activity in the body following the experience of fear.

It is worth noting that the acute stress response (“fight or flight”) leads to a temporary mobilization of the immune system. Researchers have previously found that exposure to cold and/or hyperventilation can positively influence the immune system by reducing inflammation levels in the body. This list has now been expanded to include participation in horror quests.

Thus, the findings from this new scientific work suggest that those who enjoy a good scare (especially with elevated inflammation levels) may benefit their health by attending frightening events. The study also paves the way for further exploration of how emotional experiences affect the physical state of the body.

The research team concluded that, in the context of recreational fear from watching horror films and visiting horror quests, the emotions experienced could serve as a sort of “training” for the immune system. However, to better understand the long-term effects and mechanisms of this phenomenon, additional research is needed.