Halloween and Physiology: The spooky effects of ghosts, costumes, and candy!

With Halloween night just hours away (8 hours to be exact), I thought it might be useful to prepare by understanding the neurological, psychological, and digestive effects of this spooky night. From watching scary moves, inhaling mass amounts of candy, and prancing around in costumes with friends, Halloween creates vast changes throughout the body.

Let’s start with costume wearing: will you be a hero or a villain? According to Medcuator Health Sciences Journal, research shows that dressing up as villains with a group of friends increases one’s chances of committing crime due to masked identity and a sense of anonymity—this is called the Theory of Deindividuation. On the other hand, dressing up in hero costumes with friends can cause release of oxytocin, which triggers serotonin affecting the nucleus accumbens area of the brain generating feelings of bliss and increasing social bonding. So, it is wise to think twice before putting on your costume tonight!

Furthermore, the Halloween season encourages participating in all things spooky; between scary movies, haunted houses, and kids in creepy costumes running around, the brain is constantly reacting to these stimuli and reacting to fear. First, the amygdala, responsible for emotions, assesses the spooky visual and auditory stimuli and triggers a standard fear response. The hippocampus then incorporates memories of these sounds and images and generates an emotional response. The prefrontal cortex, which is in charge of reasoning, continues to evaluate the stimuli and associated emotions to create a logical response. Additionally, the brain reacts to dim lighting by releasing dopamine into the frontal cortex increasing self control and cautious instincts. Each of these responses from different regions of the brain work together to activate the sympathetic nervous system and generate a “fight or flight response” increasing heart rate, dilating the pupils, and increasing sweat production according to a study published by the University of Wisconsin Department of Physiology. In the midst of all the zombies, vampires, and chainsaw murderers tonight, be sure to thank your Autonomic Nervous System!

Last but certainly not least, let’s discuss the effects of candy on our bodies. We have all heard time and time again about the negative consequences of sugar consumption: tooth decay, weight gain, and decreased nutrient intake to name a few. However, a report published by Newsmax reveals the many positive outcomes of eating candy (in moderation, of course). These include decreased risk of depression as chocolate contains serotonin, which acts as an antidepressant, as well as prolonged lifespan due to the antioxidant phenol present in candy (and red wine). Peppermint candy is often linked to improved ability to concentrate and easing digestion. Perhaps most compelling, a compound found in cocoa beans has been shown by the Georgetown University Medical Center to slow the growth of CANCER and speed obliteration of tumor cells. I don’t know about you guys, but if these aren’t reasons to eat some Twix bars tonight, I don’t know what is!

Have a fun, safe, and spooky Halloween!

References: 

1. Meducator Health Sciences Journal: http://www.meducator.org/blog/2013/11/4/o1u82fy4xyw14shqylcgrtve7w1ry7

2. Wisconsin Study on Fear and Sympathetic Nervous System: http://jass.neuro.wisc.edu/2012/01/Lab%20603%20Group%2010%20Final%20Submission%20Ramsey,%20Rolnick,%20Smith.pdf

3. Newsmax: 

http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Headline/candy-chocolate-health-benefits-peppermint/2013/08/11/id/519812/