The Effects of Horror Movies on Your Libido: Do They Help or Hurt?

With Halloween approaching, horror movie marathons have become a classic. Many people get carried away by the adrenaline these movies provoke, but few wonder if the emotions unleashed by horror movies influence other areas of life, such as desire in a couple.

I’m not saying you’ll have an unforgettable romantic night with The Exorcist playing in the background, but did you know that watching a scary movie can affect your libido and intimacy with your partner? In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so these movies only bring chills on screen, not in the reality of your relationship.

Why do we love horror movies?

You’ve probably wondered about this, but do you know the answer? Horror movies captivate us because they awaken intense and primitive emotions that we rarely experience in our day-to-day life. The mix of fear with other emotions creates a unique experience, and for some, quite addictive.

And, when we are in front of a screen watching the main character fleeing from a killer or exploring a haunted house, we feel connected with our own survival responses, but from the comfort and peace of mind that it’s not happening to us.

The emotions behind the mystery

Part of the charm of horror cinema is the mystery and the unknown. Not knowing what will happen next keeps us alert and emotionally involved in the plot. The brains love solving puzzles, and horror movies offer small doses of suspense that translate into an unexpected thrill. This emotional roller coaster can awaken us and uncover hidden feelings that give our brains a boost.

What happens in the brain when we watch horror movies?

Scary movies activate several parts of the brain, including the areas responsible for the fight-or-flight response. When you feel fear, your body perceives it as if you’re in real danger, which generates a cocktail of hormones that prepares your body to act. This not only influences your emotional state, but also affects your physical reaction.

What hormone is released when watching horror movies?

One of the most important hormones released when watching horror movies is adrenaline. This hormone is key in triggering the "flight or fight" response, but it can also intensify sensations like desire (yes, that desire).

Plus, dopamine, known as the pleasure hormone, is also triggered when we experience intense situations, which generates a mix of fear and satisfaction. In short, watching a horror movie can unintentionally activate circuits associated with sexual arousal. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but if it happens to you, don’t worry it’s natural and you can get a lot out of it.

What are the benefits of watching horror movies as a couple?

Watching a horror movie as a couple isn’t just a classic date-night ritual that all relationships go through, it also strengthens emotional bonds. Sharing an intense experience, like fear, increases trust between partners, as they are both exposed to a situation in which they have to support each other.

In short, that feeling of being together in a tense environment creates a stronger emotional and physical connection. So, if you’re a little savvy and you’re getting to know someone, you know what to suggest if you want to keep things moving forward. But let's take it to the next level, how exactly does it affect our desire?

What happens to our libido when we watch these movies?

Fear triggers a state of alertness and boosts adrenaline production, which in turn intensifies heart rate and blood circulation. This state of physiological arousal can easily translate to other emotions, like desire. In this context, the physical closeness that may arise while watching a scary movie could translate into an increase in libido.

Therefore, that horror movie that you have in the background can end up sparking the flame in the relationship and create an intimate moment full of connection. In addition, if you’re able to maintain this tension until the end, the result will be much more intense and passionate.

Conclusion: do horror movies help or hurt desire?

Horror movies have unexpected and very diverse effects on each person and, of course, in each couple. The adrenaline and dopamine released while watching a scary movie often strengthen the bond and intimacy between both partners, helping that shared emotion turn into something more.

Far from being harmful, these intense experiences can help fan the spark of desire and strengthen the emotional connection. So, if you’re for a way to put an interesting twist on your next movie night, a good horror movie could be just the thing! And you, are you up for a more intense Halloween?