Risky Behaviour

Why we do risky behaviour?  What causes us to ignore laws and accepted social behaviours created to protect lives?

A quotation from a poster in earlier blog entry contributed by Stephanie:

Jinny, #9

“I tried on a train bridge where there's a boardwalk, and it was dark too.... And also, in the public park...of beautiful downtown saskatoon!!!! it gave me an adrenaline rush, the feeling of getting caught....it was daring. i gotta try more HOT spots. Hehehehe”

It is understood that physical activity encourages the production of neurotransmitters and hormones that affect mood.

• Adrenaline: "fight or flight" - sensory alertness
• Endorphins: a natural opiate, painkiller - sense of euphoria
• Serotonin:  neurotransmitter that influences mood, sexual desire, appetite, etc.

The person undergoing a strenuous activity will feel a "high" that will only be temporary.  There is a danger of getting addicted to thrill-seeking to recreating that powerful feeling.  Thus, the behaviour may get riskier as the search continues to top the last experience, if the current activity gets boring: no more thrill, or a perceived lack of danger to fuel it.

Sources:
http://www.imagineyh.com/html/health_fitness/fitness/article/article2_sept002.php3

http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/serotonin