Learn the psychological reason why some are drawn to dangerous excursions across the globe.
Skydiving in Dubai. Scaling Mount Everest to reach its 29,029-foot summit. Hitching a ride on a submersible to see the Titanic’s ruins first-hand. Spelunking in cramped caverns deep below the earth’s surface.
These risky — and, to some, thrilling — extreme tourism excursions have become increasingly popular in recent years. And by 2030, the adventure tourism industry is expected to triple its global revenue, according to the market research firm Grand View Research.
So, why do some individuals crave these inherently dangerous activities?
There isn’t one clear answer, says Eileen Anderson, Ed.D., a medical and psychological anthropologist and the director of Case Western Reserve University's educational programs in Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Here, she explains the potential psychological factors behind the appeal of extreme tourism.
The Attraction to Extreme Tourism
It provides excitement during dull or apprehensive stages of life.
Depending on your age and stage of life, you may feel particularly drawn to risky activities, says Anderson. As folks approach their midlife, they tend to feel exhausted from the day-to-day acts of caring for themselves, for their growing children, and for their aging parents. Simultaneously, people begin to sense and grapple with their own mortality, the combination of which may push them to seek out once-in-a-lifetime excursions that allow them to mentally escape. “It’s like the whole concept of a bucket list,” says Anderson. “What do I want to have done before I die? Or, I've always had an interest in this, but I've been too scared. I better do it now before it's too late.”
This feeling becomes even more common in old age, particularly if the individual is dealing with health issues, says Anderson. “When people are in a bad spot, they have what’s typically referred to as a passive or a latent death wish,” she explains. “They don't really care whether they're living or dying, so they may as well have some fun.”
It can reduce stress.
Heart-pumping experiences that cause a rush of adrenaline — the hormone that helps you react in a dangerous situation — can improve cognitive function in the immediate aftermath. And they can also minimize stress, says Anderson.
“A lot of people describe extreme experiences as moving meditation,” she explains. “If you're doing one of these extreme things, you're not worried about your grocery bill or your boss — you are 100 percent locked-down, focused on what you're doing because you have to be. And so it gives this meditative, psychological clearing for most people.”
If your activity takes place outdoors — say, bungee jumping off a bridge or sailing solo in rough waters — the Stress Reduction Theory can also come into play, says Anderson. According to the hypothesis, spending time in nature may activate the parasympathetic nervous system, minimizing stress and arousal. And a meta-analysis backs this up: The recent review found that cortisol levels, a biological marker of stress, decrease when people are exposed to natural environments.
Pick up on this stress-relieving side effect, and you may be more likely to participate time and time again.
It can fulfill a desire for rare experiences.
While some individuals collect objects — postcards, snow globes, stamps, you name it — others collect experiences. And over time, they may begin to crave increasingly unique activities, says Anderson. These folks are called high sensation seekers, a term coined by the late psychologist Marvin Zuckerman. High sensation seekers — who appear to process stimuli differently in the brain and in physiological reactions than low sensation seekers — crave novel experiences, and they’re more likely to engage in risky sports, smoke, abuse alcohol, use drugs, and be attracted to high-stress careers, according to the American Psychological Association. Once a high sensation seeker has gone hang gliding and heli-skiing, an attempt to climb K2 (the second-highest mountain on Earth) may be the only experience that scratches their itch.
It can release feel-good dopamine.
So long as you enjoy them, taking part in exhilarating activities can release dopamine, says Anderson. This neurotransmitter boosts mood and, thanks to its role in your internal reward system, can lead you to seek out more of that pleasure. In other words, you’ll find yourself booking that scuba diving trip over and over again.
Simply planning the excursion can give the mood-enhancing effect of dopamine, too: “The neurotransmitter reinforcement you get when you're anticipating an experience that has high physiological engagement gives you feel-good hits all the way along,” says Anderson. “Research shows that planning a vacation is a better experience for many people than the actual vacation. Planning something that is an intense experience can make you feel even better.”
When to Reconsider Your Extreme Tourism
Engaging in extreme tourism isn’t an inherently bad idea — after all, it can relieve stress, improve cognition, and establish social bonds among those who participate, says Anderson. However, there is a point at which you’ll want to reassess your choice of hobby, like if you’ve suffered an injury from, say, cliff diving, she suggests.
You should also tune in to the feedback from your loved ones. “Some people are going to be naysayers just because that's how they are, so you don't need to take that,” says Anderson. “But the people who truly love you, believe in you, and have supported you, if they are starting to question it, like, ‘Oh, are you sure that's a good idea? Do you really want to do that this year?’ you may want to reconsider.”
Importantly, listen to your gut, says Anderson. If you have a gnawing feeling that your upcoming backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon or ultramarathon through the desert carries too great of a risk for your comfort, don’t ignore it.