Turns out, watching horror movies can be seriously bad for your health

The thrill of watching horror movies can be addictive. It’s hard to say what’s so amazing about snuggling with friends and scaring the bejeezus out of yourselves, but something is, and we can’t get enough. However, a recent study says that watching horror movies could actually be bad for your health.

The BMJ conducted a study on just how “bloodcurdling” these movies can actually be. The trial consisted of 24 volunteers, all under 30 years old, who were instructed to watch both Insidious (the horror movie) and the documentary A Year in Champagne. The participants were split into two groups, one for each movie, and had their blood taken before and after viewing the films. Turns out, those who watched the horror movie had greater levels of coagulant factor VIII in their blood.

So, what does that mean? Coagulant is a substance that causes blood to coagulate, aka clot. Aka, not great. While all participants had similar baseline levels of coagulant factor VIII before the films, 57% of participants had increased levels after watching Insidious.

While watching horror movies doesn’t put you at any immediate risk, it is something to consider before hunkering down to scare yourself. That feeling you get in your blood when you’re watching the movie is more than a feeling, so if you know you’re not in prime health, especially when it comes to the health of your heart, then maybe opt for Bridesmaids when it comes to watching a movie with friends. Screaming in laughter is always healthier than screaming in fear.

(Image via Paramount Pictures)