By Sean Yoo

The air is thick with fog and screams surround all around. Lights flicker, monsters jump out with each corner, and chainsaws buzz inches away. Friends grab onto each other terrified and laughing. It’s utter chaos, but the good kind. 

As the Halloween season approaches, the rise in popularity of these horror mazes continues. From Universal Studio’s Horror Nights to Six Flags’ Fright Fest, Granada Hills Charter students flock to these immersive experiences. But what makes them so popular?

The idea of being able to enjoy the thrill of being scared in a controlled environment where you know you are safe is what’s so appealing for many. 

“Even though you knew you were never really in danger,” Sociologist Margee Kerr said in an interview. “you still feel a sense of euphoria after making it through a frightening event.”

Yet, the appeal of these horror mazes goes beyond just a feeling of accomplishment of making it through them. 

When people are scared, they release a chemical called oxytocin. Oxytocin is a chemical messenger in your brain that has an important role in human behaviors and social interactions like trust, recognition, and romantic attachment. So, when people go through these mazes, oxytocin is released and that’s why you see people smiling and laughing after exiting them. 

Previous research has found that experiencing intense and similar emotions with other individuals reinforces social bonds. In horror mazes, the high adrenaline makes every interaction from the screams to laughter more intense. This becomes a memory that strengthens friendships through something that unites them.

For many Granada Hills Charter students, this effect is what makes horror mazes so fun and appealing. 

“I went to horror nights with my friends and some that I had never met, but by the end of the night, we were all laughing and talking like close friends,” senior Eden Park said. “I think the shared screams, laughter, and hanging out together in line really helped us bond. My friend and I even interacted with a scare actor, something I’d normally never do, but it felt easier as we were experiencing it together.”

The combination of shared fears, laughter, and shared memories give students a break from their daily routines. For students that balance extra curriculars, rigorous classes, and more, these mazes and events could also work as a stress relief. 

As Halloween season approaches, these shared experiences remind people that fear isn’t always a bad thing. From the adrenaline of surviving a horror maze to shared laughter created in long lines, these memories go beyond just that one night. This is what makes these attractions so appealing to many students.