Choose a theme that genuinely bothers you. If zombies have never really scared you, marathoning The Walking Dead is unlikely to encourage an adrenaline rush. However, if you have a longstanding fear of the paranormal you may be frightened by a movie like The Ring. Pay attention to outside opinions. Certain movies are generally considered scary by critics and audiences. Psycho, Night of the Living Dead, Alien, and The Exorcist are considered amongst the scariest films of all time. If you want an adrenaline rush, a movie with a lot of jump scares and surprise moments might be better than something’s that frightening on a psychological level. Remember, you’re trying to stimulate a fight or flight response so something that’s direct and action-based will work best. Go for a scary movie with a lot of action. For example, a film from the Halloween franchise might be a better option than Rosemary Baby.
The idea here is not to do something that could potentially hurt you. Closing your eyes while driving will certainly give you an adrenaline rush, but it’s absolutely not worth the risk. Instead, stick to behaviors that would normally make you uncomfortable. Ask someone out on a date. Sing karaoke at a bar. Dance with a stranger. Buy a lottery ticket. Audition for a play. Anything that feels risky to you can cause an adrenaline rush. If you’re interested in a bigger rush, there a certain behaviors that provide a kind of controlled risk. Things like bungee jumping and ski diving, for example, feel risky as you’re falling from large heights. However, as long as you’re working with an experienced sky diver or bungee jumper you should be safe. If you choose to engage in such activities, work with a trained professional and follow all safety instructions exactly. Get onto a glass elevator if you are afraid of heights. Instead of looking away or closing your eyes, look outside.
Think of something that scares you. If you’re afraid of heights, for example, makes plans to go to a rooftop bar with friends. If you have a longstanding fear of dogs, go to a local dog park. Expose yourself to small things that scare you. This can result in the fight or flight response that can trigger an adrenaline rush.
Seasonally, it’s easiest to find a haunted house around Halloween. However, keep your eyes open throughout the year. Some organizations may do haunted houses as part of special benefits or fundraisers during odd seasons. If you live near an amusement park, there may be a haunted house attraction that’s opened year-round.
Be careful. If you feel yourself losing control of your breathing, stop. You do not want to accidentally begin hyperventilating.
For an added effect, pick an activity that scares you a little. This can increase your adrenaline. If you’re a little scared of open water, go surfing. [9] X Research source You can also try engaging in team action sports, like joining a hockey or football league in your area. Playing a sport that requires a lot of physical exertion as well as contact with other players may release some adrenaline.
When first starting interval training, go slowly. The adrenaline released will often make you feel like you can push yourself harder. However, you should stick to 1 to 2 minute intervals of intense training to avoid straining yourself. [11] X Research source
You may notice an increase in strength. If you’re at the gym, for example, you may suddenly be able to lift more weight. You may also feel less pain physically as adrenaline protects our bodies from pain. Be careful when experiencing these symptoms. Try to keep in mind this is an adrenaline rush and you should not overexert yourself. You will feel the pain when the rush passes. [13] X Research source You may also notice a sudden boost of energy and rapid breathing. If these symptoms feel extreme, take measures to calm yourself down. Take long, deep breaths. Go somewhere and sit down. Take in the scene around you. This will help take your mind off whatever caused the adrenaline rush. [14] X Research source
If you routinely engage in risky behavior in hopes of stimulating adrenaline, talk to a psychiatrist or therapist. This can be a sign of an underlying mental health condition. Borderline personality disorder is especially associated with a tendency towards risky behaviors. [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
