Why do we love scary movies?

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they turn their attention to recreational fear - the kind we experience when we actively seek out things that make us afraid, for pleasure!
Joined by Professors Marc Andersen and Mathias Clasen, co-directors of the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark, they explore what recreational fear is, and what happens in the body when we experience it. Chris and Xand also find out what the different forms of recreational fear are, and what might compel us to seek our fear for fun.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Professors Marc Andersen and Mathias Clasen
Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis
Researcher: Mill Ostoich
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Visual Producer: Leon Gower
Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC:

Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4