eerie hand on TV screen symbolic of horror movie

October 5, 2025

Scared Straight: The Shocking Mental Health Benefits of Horror

BY Hayden Johnson

Home > Blog > Scared Straight: The Shocking Mental Health Benefits of Horror

Key Takeaways

Watching horror movies can serve as a form of exposure therapy, helping individuals confront and manage fears and anxieties in a safe, controlled environment, potentially benefiting those with trauma and anxiety disorders.
Horror films can have physical health benefits, including increasing adrenaline that burns calories and suppresses appetite, making them a fun way to aid fitness goals during leisure time.
Viewing scary movies with others can strengthen social bonds through shared fear experiences, which may promote emotional connections and improve mental health by reducing depression and anxiety risks.

When you think of films that could improve your overall wellness, flicks about a flower-crowned festival with a dark secret, an acid-blooded stowaway, or a sewer-dwelling clown probably don't come to mind (bonus points if you get these references).

But here's the twist… those scares can do your mind and body some good.

If you're curious about the surprising health and wellness perks of watching scary movies, we've got you covered with product pairings and must-watch staff picks just in time for the spooky season.

Let's go.

Facing Your Fears: Fiction as Exposure Therapy

According to recent research, horror films can act as exposure therapy, a type of psychological treatment in which people confront their fears and anxieties in a safe, controlled environment.

When something causes us severe stress and anxiety, we avoid it. However, this avoidance will only cause the fear and unpleasant feelings to worsen over time. Exposure therapy helps people overcome these feelings by facing their fears in "bite-sized" pieces.

For example, let's say someone has a fear of spiders (arachnophobia). In exposure therapy, this person would be shown pictures of spiders, watch videos of spiders, and observe a spider in an enclosed container until they're comfortable being in a room with a harmless spider species.

Exposure therapy has been effective for people suffering from:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder

And according to an article by Dr. Danielle Rousseau of Boston University, there's a great deal of potential for horror films to act as a type of therapeutic tool for people dealing with trauma and trauma disorders.

Horror experiences are thrilling and enjoyable, providing a way to confront and process fear in a controlled setting
Controlled exposure through horror media can help trauma survivors regain a sense of agency and control
Some horror fans may use the genre to confront fears and anxieties safely, helping them master their emotions
Individuals can pause, stop, or disengage from a horror movie at any time, empowering trauma survivors to reclaim their narrative and develop a new relationship with fear

So, in short, horror films can offer similar benefits in line with exposure therapy because they offer a safe, controlled way to confront fears and anxieties.

No matter how terrifying the movie may get, you know nothing is going to come out of the screen to hurt you. And if you ever find yourself hitting pause in the middle of the movie, don't feel shame. It could help you regain a sense of control over your fears.

Fear Meets Fitness: Physical Effects of Horror

If you're focused on counting calories and getting in shape, adding a spine-tingling movie to your schedule can help you reach your goals.

According to a study by The Guardian, some horror movies can help get your pulse going, creating a surge of adrenaline during short bursts of stress. This effect not only lowers your basal metabolic rate, which will help you burn more calories, but also helps curb your appetite.

But what movies ranked the highest for burning calories? Check out the list below:

The Shining - 184 calories
Jaws - 161 calories
The Exorcist - 158 calories
Alien - 152 calories
Saw - 133 calories
A Nightmare on Elm Street - 118 calories
Paranormal Activity - 111 calories
The Blair Witch Project - 105 calories
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre - 107 calories
[Rec] - 101 calories

So if by some chance the day slips past you and you can’t make it to the gym, relieve some guilt by watching a scary movie instead.

Bonding Over the Boogeyman

Did you know that watching horror movies with friends, family, or your partner can help strengthen these relationships?

Humans are naturally social creatures. In fact, research has shown that social relationships and high-quality connections can reduce someone's risk of depression, anxiety, strokes, and even heart disease.

But how can watching a scary movie make your social bonds even better? You may have heard of the fight-or-flight response, a natural reaction to perceived threats that increases your heart rate and breathing while heightening your senses. In short, these physiological changes prepare you to throw hands or run for your life.

A lesser-known response to stress is called the "tend and befriend theory," developed by psychologist Shelly E. Taylor in 2000. In this theory, under conditions of threat, humans will tend to their offspring and affiliate with others for joint protection and comfort. If you've ever felt closer to your friends or other riders after getting off an exhilarating rollercoaster, you're probably familiar with this effect.

The same exact thing happens with horror flicks: the mutual experience of fearing for your life strengthens your bonds.

This spooky season, remember that fear is best faced with company; it's not only good for your health, but your relationships, too.

Perfect Pairings for Peak Horror

We bet you are excited about the thrills, chills, and wellness benefits of watching horror. Here are some picks for the best products to enjoy when watching movies in preparation for All Hallows' Eve.

Midnight

black delta-9 edibles next to a halloween themed bag

Midnight - Delta-9 Live Rosin Gummies

25mg D9/Pc

indica

EXPLORE

Ok, we would be remiss if we didn't offer the quintessential Halloween-themed edible—Delta-9 Live Rosin Midnight Gummies. Back (from the dead) by popular demand, these Tiger's Blood-flavored (watermelon, strawberry, and coconut) feature a ghoulish appearance with 25mg THC per piece and an indica profile that's perfect for a little bit of calm before getting bombarded with frights.

But if you're interested in snagging some Midnight Gummies, grab them soon because they're a limited batch and they'll crawl back to the crypt before you know it.

DASH

DASH - Unflavored THC Powder

10mg D9/Pc

Sugar Free

Fast-Acting

EXPLORE

We feel like we're cheating by putting DASH on this list because it goes with almost anything. So what is it?

DASH is an unflavored, fast-acting THC powder that mixes into about any liquid. So if you're having a home movie night, melt some butter in the microwave, stir some DASH in, and top your popcorn with it. Or, if you're going to the movie theater, stash a packet in your pocket (we won't tell anyone), add a DASH to your drink, and enjoy the show.

Cereal Bites

If you plan on having a get-together to watch scary movies (after all, watching them with friends is good for your health), our individually-wrapped Cereal Bites are the perfect shareable treat. Featuring a balanced blend of 20mg THC and 20mg CBD, each bag comes with 15 bites, and they're available in three flavors, including Cocoa Crisp, Cinna Crunch, and Fruity Rainbow.

Final Thoughts

Sleep, exercise, and a good diet are key to living a happy, healthy life, but don't forget to take in a healthy dose of an evil book in abandoned cabins, a shape-shifting impostor at the edge of the world, or even a father losing his mind in a haunted hotel (bonus points if you know these references, too). These movies can help us overcome negative feelings, burn some calories, and strengthen our social connections.

So this Halloween season, don't shy away from fear. Grab some cannabis-infused goodies, press play, and let the thrills do your mind and body some good.

FDA Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the statements made regarding these products. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice