You may be wondering what do extreme sports enthusiasts and gamblers have in common? We did some research, and it appears that they have more in common than you imagine. The popularity of both extreme sports and gambling has increased tremendously, and their demand keeps growing. The main reason for this is that both activities are more accessible than ever before, for anyone interested.
This especially applies to gambling since people are increasingly turning to online casinos, recognized for their convenience and simplicity compared to traditional ones.
With that being said, we’re here to explain the similarities between extreme sports and gambling and their practitioners as well.
Thrill Seeking
Although those two things may seem like chalk and cheese, extreme sports athletes and gamblers are both seeking thrills and excitement, but differently. With gambling, people are risking their money and with extreme sports, people are risking their lives.
Another similar thing between these two is that extreme sports practitioners almost always seek to increase their level of adrenaline by increasing the risk and doing more advanced or dangerous stuff. In gambling, this is done by raising the stakes and taking a bigger risk when betting.
Playing poker and bungee jumping are completely different activities, but if you draw a parallel, you get to the conclusion that it’s about the thrill and the impulses, and in the end, huge satisfaction.
Health Benefits
Though it may seem unlikely, there are certain health benefits in extreme sports. Risk-taking activities like these may help people overcome depression or stress since the brain releases dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, which produce a state of arousal and pleasure.
Taking part in extreme sports can be a powerful experience that helps people conquer their fears completely. This is especially important to people with ADHD or similar disorders, as extreme sports can have therapeutic significance as well, which helps in the long run.
On the other hand, partaking in gambling is not a life-changing experience (unless you win a jackpot), but it is connected to positive emotions and fulfillment, especially during a winning streak.
Routine
Extreme sports activities are done infrequently, but with more intensity. This is done so that oversaturation can be avoided. Imagine if someone jumped out of a plane daily? It wouldn’t be exciting at all, and that’s why all extreme sports practitioners are not striving for a routine.
On the other hand, most gamblers are playing consistently since no matter how much time they spend playing, the excitement and entertainment are almost always the same.
Dangers
Just like gambling can become addictive, the same can be said about extreme sports. People can develop an urge to gamble or engage in extreme sports, and this is another correlation between the two.
Extreme sports athletes and gamblers go for the “rush” or “high”, but when going to excess, this can lead to various dangers, and some of them can be disastrous.
In moderation, both extreme sports and gambling can be a fun, entertaining, and thrill-seeking experience that everyone should attempt sometimes. But they simply cannot become a form of escapism or used to evade real-life issues. That is why it’s essential to know when it’s enough and to learn how to distract yourself with other, more productive activities.
