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| New research has found horror films are bad for your health |
HORROR films really are blood curdling – and could be bad for your health, scientists have warned.
A study published in the BMJ found watching scary films boosts a protein known as factor VIII that increases the risk of a blood clot.
Scientists at the Department of Leiden University Medical Centre in Holland recruited volunteers to watch a frightening film and a non-threatening educational movie.
Levels of Factor VIII increased in 12 participants during the horror film but only in three during the other film.
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| Scary films are said to increase the risk of blood clots |
The term blood curdling dates back to medieval times and is based on the concept that fear or horror would run the blood cold or curdle (congeal) blood, but its validity has never been studied.
Researchers set out to assess whether acute fear can curdle blood, which they say poses an important evolutionary benefit, by preparing the body for blood loss during life threatening situations.
The study involved 24 healthy volunteers aged 30 years or younger. Fourteen were assigned to watch a frightening (horror) movie followed by a non-threatening (educational) movie and 10 to watch the movies in reverse order.
The movies were viewed more than a week apart at the same time of day and in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Both lasted approximately 90 minutes.
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| This is down to a protein known as factor VIII |
Before and after each movie, blood samples were taken and analysed for markers or 'fear factors' of clotting activity.
The difference in coagulant factor VIII levels before and after watching the movies was higher for the horror movie than for the educational movie.
Levels increased in 12 participants during the horror movie, but only in three during the educational movie.
Levels of factor VIII decreased in 18 participants during the educational movie, but only in nine during the horror movie.
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