If you’re on this site, it’s fairly safe to say that you’re a fan of extreme sports and high octane experiences. But have you ever wondered why you feel this way? Have you considered the underlying processes in the brain that make such a high number of people seek out these incredible thrills? The reason why wild and risky activities are so enjoyable is because of the stimulation that they bring about inside our heads.
It’s All About Brain Activity
The pleasure found from performing extreme activities is all generated within the brain. Anyone who has ever taken part in snowboarding, BMX, or parkour will attest to the buzz that it gives them. Some people seek out riskier and more dangerous experiences to achieve an even bigger buzz.
This sensation is to do with brain chemistry and the release of chemicals within the organ. When people perform high-risk physical activities the brain releases dopamine, which is associated with its pleasure reward system. Extreme sports represent a natural high that gives people feelings of euphoria simply by stimulating this activity in the brain.
Even People Outside of Extreme Sports Seek Thrills
Thrill-seeking behavior isn’t just found in extreme athletes, and this highlights how a vast number of people also want to release dopamine in the brain. For some, getting into extreme sports is not feasible, so they have to find other ways to achieve the buzz. This can be done through playing games.
Casino games are hugely popular, with gambling being a great way to get an adrenaline rush without playing extreme sports. There are various places for people to find these experiences online, with each of the main sites offering players bonuses for signing up. Casino games can be played here on the move as well nowadays, with mobile casinos on the rise.
Competitive gaming is also another popular way to get an adrenaline rush in the modern age. Games like Fortnite and League of Legends are extremely fast-paced, and players are caught up in intense action nearly all the time. The reason why eSports like these are growing and attracting so many players is because of the way they make people feel when they play.
What Are The Other Benefits?
Along with making people feel good while they are doing the activities, extreme sports have many benefits that many people may not be aware of. Indeed, the research here from the Kinesiology Journal investigated the personality traits of high-risk athletes and found that they scored higher in tests of emotional stability and conscientiousness when compared with non-athletes.
There is also some evidence to suggest that extreme activities are good for mental health. This is because they allow people to maintain their dopamine and serotonin levels as detailed on this page, keeping them in balance. If these get too low, it can lead to feelings of depression.
Extreme sports can have an amazing effect on the mind. Along with making people feel good in a short time, they can also have incredible health benefits that can be seen over a longer period.
