Fear is supposed to protect us—so why do we pay good money to feel it on purpose? From haunted houses to horror marathons, millions of us choose to be terrified. In this episode, Maegan breaks down the psychology and neuroscience of fear and why it can actually feel good.

What you’ll hear about:

• What happens in the brain when fear kicks in.
• Why some people love horror while others can’t stand it.
• Psychological theories that explain horror’s appeal: Excitation Transfer, Catharsis, Sensation-Seeking, Morbid Curiosity, and Benign Masochism.
• How movies like The Babadook, A Quiet Place, The Ring, and Scream bring these theories to life.
• Why fear isn’t just survival—it’s entertainment, bonding, and even a little therapeutic.