Do You Scream or Laugh at Horror Movies?

Scientists say different versions of a single gene linked to feelings of anxiety can explain the way in which some people simply cannot abide such movies, while others enjoy the suspense and the gore.
The findings may explain why it is that over the past 35 years people have had wildly different reactions to the classic horror film, The Exorcist.
While many screamed and some even fainted in cinemas at scenes of spinning heads and shaking beds, others simply laughed.
A particular variant of the 'COMT' gene affects a chemical in the brain that is linked to anxiety, they have found.
People who have two copies of one version of the gene are more easily disturbed when viewing unpleasant pictures, the scientists discovered.
That version of the gene weakens the effect of a signaling chemical in the brain that helps control certain emotions.
The scientists found that those carrying two copies of it were significantly more startled by frightening images than others.
By contrast, those who had one copy of the gene and one copy of another version were able to keep their emotions in check far more readily.
The study published today in the scientific journal Behavioral Neuroscience, also found that those with two copies of the latter gene were also able to keep a lid on their anxiety more easily.
Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany made the discovery after testing 96 women.
Then they showing them three different types of pictures - emotionally "pleasant" ones of smiling babies and cute animals, "neutral" ones of items like electric plugs or hairdryers, and "aversive" ones of weapons or injured victims.
The Exorcist was banned by some council in Britain upon its release here in 1974, but broke box office records in the US to become the biggest selling horror movie of its day.
Psychologist Christian Montage, one of the University of Bonn researchers, said he thought the gene variant linked to scaring more easily had only recently evolved, as it was not present in other primates like chimpanzees.
He said the propensity to scare more easily could have offered an evolutionary advantage to humans.
While bravery appears to be prized in the animal kingdom, recklessness could have been a disadvantage to humans with their larger mental capacity to go away and figure a problem out.
Mr. Montage said: "It was an advantage to be more anxious in a dangerous environment."
However, he said a single gene variation could account for only some of people's anxiety differences, otherwise, up to half the population would be anxious.
"This single gene variation is potentially only one of many factors influencing such a complex trait as anxiety," he said. "Still, to identify the first candidates for genes associated with an anxiety-prone personality is a step in the right direction." Find out if you are giving your body what it needs. You can get Genetically Guided Nutrition Today. Please Visit: supremegene.com or mygenekit.com for more information.

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[Gibsonway]

I laugh but then I freak myself out later because I think about it too thoroughly xDD

[kocky13]

really, I never knew genetics would have an affect on people involing how they react to horror movies

[zevvay]

i liked it up until the religous rant, i don't care about your religous beliefs, i don't believe in god you aren't going to change that.

[phatkat97]

-ii aint qon LiE heck yeah ii scream..Ii dnt lauqh bkus ishh like that isn't funny aht all.

[loudrockacdc]

@rochelimit55555 yea i think that too maybe also to make them look at tough cuz they're laughing in the face of danger

[Awkkey]

@rochelimit55555 retard lol

[crytilyoulaugh]

i watched Saw when i was about ten... it fucked me up so bad for about a week

[Mrsbunny01]

it stunk! it also made me cry (because it was soooo bad)

[Eyeslayer]

that is freaking stupid another christian garbage vid. come on people laugh at scary movies cause there are no scary movies anymore most are overdone or just weak.

[rochelimit55555]

you mean 'stars' like cameron diaz? tom cruise? lol

[rochelimit55555]

I hate it when people laugh in the cinema at scary scene, I think it's not because they think it's silly, I think it's somekind of self-defense to keep them from being terribly scared.

[ACCOQR]

That's a good point at the begining.

but what the fuck was with the comic at the end :|