Extreme Sports
Why do people love extreme sports?
- People participate in extreme sports such as BASE jumping, skydiving, and free-climbing despite the high risk of death.
- Psychologists believe that the fear response and the brain’s reward system play a role in why people engage in risky behaviors.
- Overcoming fear can be a meaningful and transformative experience for some people.
- The fear response triggers the release of dopamine, a powerful reward chemical, which can lead to sensation-seeking behavior.
- Like drug addicts, extreme athletes may need to perform more extreme events to achieve the same high as their brains become accustomed to higher levels of dopamine.
Extreme sports: High-risk athletic activities.
Wingsuit: Special jumpsuit for gliding.
BASE jumping: Jumping from fixed objects.
Parachute: Device for slowing descent.
Fear response: Body’s reaction to danger.
Dopamine: Brain chemical for reward.
Sensation-seeking: Pursuit of intense experiences.
Amygdala: Brain region for emotions.
Addiction: Compulsive need for substance/activity.
Marathon: Long-distance running race.
Acronym: Word formed from initials.
Outcropping: Visible rock formation.
Enthusiast: Passionate devotee of activity.
Transformative: Causing significant change.
Recollection: Act of remembering.
