After a breathtaking performance in Minnal Murali, Guru Somasundram is now making headlines with his role in Demonte Colony 3 as the dreaded librarian.
Horror films have always had a powerful hold over audiences, and with the buzz surrounding Demonte Colony 3, interest in fear-based storytelling is stronger than ever. But beyond the eerie moments, the way our brain processes fear, especially while watching horror films, is fascinating.
When we watch a horror film, the brain reacts as though the danger is real, even when we consciously know it is fictional.
But have you wondered what actually happens inside the brain when we watch such horror movies? The answer lies in the amygdala, a small but crucial part of the brain responsible for detecting threats.
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As per various studies, it was found that the amygdala modulates the fear response in humans. Fearful stimuli, including fearful faces, fear-inducing images, and fear conditioned cues, have been found to activate the amygdala in several brain imaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The moment a frightening scene appears, the amygdala sends distress signals throughout the body, activating what is known as the fight-or-flight response. This leads to physical changes such as an increased heart rate, faster breathing, muscle tension, and a surge of adrenaline.
"The amygdala interprets the images and sounds. When it perceives danger, it instantly sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a bit like a command center. This area of the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the autonomic nervous system, which controls such involuntary body functions as breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, and the dilation or constriction of key blood vessels and small airways in the lungs called bronchioles," a Harvard study explained.
The amygdala is also connected to the prefrontal cortex and this helps in regulating the emotional responses and assessing the significance of fear-related stimuli. It is precisely this balance that makes horror films engaging.
After the initial fear response, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This creates a feeling of relief and even excitement once the scary moment passes.
Horror movies like Demonte Colony 3 help in understanding how the human brain responds to fear, uncertainty, and survival.
