Not like everyone else: why some individuals are always in pursuit of thrills.

The pursuit of thrilling experiences, a psychological trait characterized by the desire for new and intense sensations, plays a crucial role in shaping individual behavior and life choices. However, people are diverse; while some prefer a measured and calm life, others seek to extract maximum emotions from each moment, and there are important reasons for this, writes PsyBlog.

This trait, defined and extensively studied by psychologist Marvin Zuckerman, implies a willingness to take risks for the sake of excitement and is measured by his Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). Sensation seeking can be adaptive, leading to exciting achievements, or maladaptive, exposing individuals to potential dangers, explains psychologist Jeremy Dean.

Individuals with a high propensity for sensation seeking often demonstrate a strong attraction to novelty and unusual experiences, influencing various aspects of their lives, such as relationships, education, and careers. At the neurological level, sensation seeking is linked to brain function and neurotransmitter activity.

Researchers have found that elevated levels of dopamine in sensation seekers make them more receptive to rewards and novelty, while less active prefrontal cortex contributes to impulsivity and decreased sensitivity to risk, says Dean. Genetic factors also play a role in this trait: variations in the dopamine receptor gene (DRD4) are associated with an increased desire for thrilling experiences.

Environmental factors, including upbringing and exposure to stimulating activities, also determine the expression of this trait. Even cultural and social factors significantly influence the manifestation of the desire for excitement. In individualistic societies, such as Western cultures, the pursuit of thrills is often encouraged, for example, in extreme sports, while in collectivist cultures, there is a greater emphasis on caution and group harmony, which hinders risk-taking.

Gender differences also shape this trait: men typically score higher on the sensation seeking scale, particularly regarding physical risk, influenced by biological factors such as testosterone levels and socialization processes that encourage risky behavior in boys, explains Dean.

In contrast, women may express their desire for thrilling experiences through social or aesthetic encounters, although individual variations exist in both genders. The intensity of the desire for such emotions changes throughout a person's life, peaking during adolescence due to brain development and social influences, and gradually decreasing with age as impulse control improves.

However, in older adults, the desire for sensations may be revived through new hobbies or travel. This trait also affects career choices: sensation seekers are drawn to stimulating professions such as emergency response, adventure tourism, or investigative journalism. Employers who recognize a propensity for sensation seeking in their employees can enhance job satisfaction by providing opportunities for engaging tasks or controlled risks.

While the pursuit of such sensations can foster creativity, resilience, and openness to new experiences, it also poses risks to mental health, including a tendency towards substance abuse and reckless behavior, warns Dean. Mental health interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and harm reduction strategies, can help individuals channel their desire for sensations into positive outlets, such as artistic creativity or sports competitions.

In the digital age, platforms like social media and online gaming offer new avenues for thrill-seeking, providing instant access to new experiences, but also creating risks of addiction and unsafe behaviors. To maintain healthy behavior, it is essential to strike a balance between digital engagement and real-world activities, Dean concluded.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you are experiencing issues, please consult a professional.