Halloween scares: the science behind why some people love horror

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Love it or hate it, horror is king this time of year. Movies, costumes and jump scares abound. There are two factors that influence how we feel about it. One is genetics, the other is personal experience.

Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Katherine Brownlow says everyone is born with different temperaments. Some love fear because it triggers the release of adrenaline, dopamine and endorphins, which can create a feeling of euphoria for thrill-seekers.

People are genetically more likely to fall on one side of the fear spectrum or the other. Personal experience is also a factor. Whether it's surviving a trauma, or simply your upbringing.

 "They always saw their mom kind of be afraid of scary movies or be afraid of dogs, they might be more likely to be fearful of those things," Brownlow says.

She adds that the nature/nurture combo triggers a fight or flight rush in the amygdala are of the brain, where emotions are processed and threats detected. It works with the brain's frontal love to assess the danger. The frontal lobes calm us back down...telling us it's not real, and we are safe.

Other reasons people might not like to be scared? If they have high anxiety sensitivity, don't like loss of control, or past trauma - they also might have lower sensation-seeking traits.

Children have a harder time determining whether a threat is real or not. Their frontal lobe isn't fully developed, so during spooky season, Brownlow advises not to push them to do anything uncomfortable.

There is no right or wrong way to do Halloween. Just don't feel pressured to partake in scare-inducing activities if it's not for you.