Have you ever wanted to jump out of a moving plane and fall thousands of feet just for the fun of it? Believe it or not, millions of people each year have the urge to do just that. The feeling of your stomach dropping, powerful pressure, and knowing what you are doing is dangerous is appealing in the minds of many.

Across the world “adrenaline junkies” are becoming a new norm. Reckless behavior is reported to be “cool” or “trendy.” It is normalized to see people getting more dangerous with their so-called idea of fun. However, there is more to it than just having fun. There is a more logical reason behind this behavior.

The Body’s Response

The main question is why? Why do so many people feel addicted to the feeling of an adrenaline rush?

Robin Deak, a psychology instructor at McHenry County College, gives some explanation. “Well, often because an adrenaline rush makes you feel extremely energized and can heighten your senses and focus,” she describes. “The rush is part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system kicking in for our ‘fight or flight’ response. Some people say it is an intense feeling of being ‘alive’.”

That feeling of being alive is desired by many people seeking to feel more than a rush. A rush is short term and never long lasting, therefore making an adrenaline junkie addicted to the feeling of being alive. That state of mind is hard to escape.

An addiction can be classified as, “… a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences,” according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. This definition highlights the fact that context and surroundings contribute to one’s addiction. When it comes to adrenaline junkies, they feel the need to push and push much like anyone else experiencing addiction. “Just like other addictions, we crave what makes us feel that good, in this case, the feeling of euphoria,” Deak said.

Craving change

Routines and change are two things that can never be similarly described together. On any regular day, a student would go to class and go about their daily routine. However, an adrenaline junkie would attempt routine but fail because they always feel the need to escape and change. They crave a certain number of intense moments and experiences to feel satisfied. “Someone who gets bored easily isn’t looking for routines, rather, they seek out new and exciting situations,” Deak said.

The urge to go skydiving, snowboarding down mountains, and rock climbing with no ropes just to feel satisfied is a gift and a curse. At one end of the spectrum, you are accomplishing dreams and at the other end you always feel the need to go bigger with each newfound craze.

“Yes, someone who is high in sensation-seeking has a need for intense experiences, enjoys novelty, and can be impulsive,” Deak said. “In addition, those who are extroverts (more outgoing and sociable) tend to seek thrills, especially in social situations, which is where they get their energy.”

Impulsivity may be one of the defining traits of an adrenaline junkie. Many do not think before they act, and they feel the pressure to continue the same cycle of spontaneity.

The Positives

There is undeniable good that can come from adrenaline junkies. They can accomplish their greatest dreams and meet a community within their addiction. There is a certain empowerment that comes from accomplishing a dream or doing something unexpected.

Socially, an adrenaline junkie would be in heaven. There are millions of people with the same addiction. The community within that is beautiful as they have unquestionable trust and teamwork. They trust one another with their lives; many other friendships cannot say the same thing.

Personal growth is also a major factor in an adrenaline junkie’s life. Facing fears can be extremely challenging for anyone, however, adrenaline junkies build courage and easily reduce their anxieties within life because of their crazy addiction. The life satisfaction that comes with the accomplishments of someone seeking thrills is most likely high. As mentioned earlier, they always crave more but there will come a point where life satisfaction is at its peak.

Social media influences

Ten or 20 years ago there were very few people doing the acts that adrenaline junkies do now. However, with social media the influence is massive. Celebrities and influencers are posting everyday about their unattainable lives. That includes the appeal to do what they do, and when a viral video is posted of a rock climber or professional skydiver, it makes someone instantly attracted to the feeling of doing something dangerous.

The social status is also a huge factor in why so many people do crazy things. The crazier things you do, the more followers you earn. Therefore, making your social status rise as the adrenaline induced activities are accomplished.

Adrenaline junkies are humans all over the world craving a feeling more than life. Since it is an addiction, there can be consequences but there can also be good that comes from thrill seeking. Community, growth, and accomplishment come from achieving the most unrealistic things. They are trying to make the impossible possible so give them a little credit.