During novel experiences, the brain releases more dopamine and less norepinephrine in high sensation-seekers than low-sensation seekers. The high thrill and minimal stress may drive sensation-seekers to repeatedly seek out new, exciting experiences.
Sensation-seeking, also called thrill-seeking or excitement-seeking, is the tendency to pursue new and different sensations, feelings, and experiences. The trait describes people who chase novel, complex, and intense sensations, who love experience for its own sake, and who may take risks to pursue those experiences.
In a thrill-seeking situation—which almost always poses some kind of risk, whether perceived or real—the amygdala registers that risk, then releases a combination of dopamine, adrenaline, endorphins, and other chemicals in order to protect the body against it.
Sensation-seeking, defined as the tendency to seek out varied, complex, novel, and intense experiences, has been recognized as a general personality trait in psychological research since the 1960s.
Some researchers maintain that about 20 percent of us are thrill-seekers and actually have different brain chemistry than other people. Thrill-seekers may have lower-than-average levels of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase and may need more stimulation to produce a feeling of well-being and happiness.
"Sky divers will tell you it's the thrill, the rush, and a little element of fear that motivates them to push themselves to the extreme," he says. According to Farley, some people enjoy the physical sensations that can accompany being scared -- from the adrenaline rush to the racing heart to the perspiring palms.
Adrenaline junkie is a phrase that's used to describe people who enjoy intense and thrilling activities that generate an adrenaline rush. Other terms include sensation seekers, adventurers, or thrill seekers.
synonyms for thrill-seeker
debauchee. epicure. epicurean. gourmand. lecher.
A positive attitude, a balanced extroversion and confidence have been revealed as the most attractive qualities, in both sexes. Psychologists say these three personality qualities not only make someone more attractive to the opposite sex but also prove they can get on with anyone.
Individual differences in sensation seeking were best explained by a simple additive genetic model. Between 48 and 63% of the total variance in sensation seeking subscales was attributable to genetic factors.
Can a person become addicted to adrenaline? When discussing adrenaline junkies, many people talk about epinephrine addiction and use terminology normally associated with substance abuse. However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not list thrill-seeking behavior as an addiction.
High sensation-seeking personality is linked with a variety of problematic behaviors such as substance use disorders, aggressive behavior, dangerous driving, and unhappy relationships.
The Adrenaline Junkie Personality
People who constantly seek adventure have a strong need for stimulation. This can be just a personality quirk. People with domineering type-A personalities are more likely to crave risk-taking.
Within Eysenck's "Big Three" model of personality, impulsive sensation seeking is most strongly related to psychoticism and within the Big Five personality traits it is primarily related to (low) conscientiousness.
The Type T personality has been described as a personality dimension referring to individual differences in stimulation seeking, excitement seeking, thrill seeking, arousal seeking, and risk taking.
Traditionally, sensation seeking is conceptualized as having four distinct components: experience seeking, thrill and adventure seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility (Zuckerman 2007).
Irresistible people possess an authentic interest in those around them. As a result, they don't spend much time thinking about themselves. They don't obsess over how well they're liked, because they're too busy focusing on the people they're with. It's what makes their irresistibility seem so effortless.
ESFP. ESFPs are one of the flirtiest personality types. They are bold, spontaneous and fun, which is the ultimate recipe for flirting. ESFPs are naturally charming individuals who know how to work a room and they are confident in their flirting abilities.
Body language research has shown that keeping your torso, chest, and abdomen open to the world is the best way to show availability. Open body language is more attractive than any outfit, hairstyle, or dance move.
Perhaps the clearest sign of adrenaline addiction is when you consistently engage in dangerous or unhealthy activities because of the mental rush that it brings you.
excitable Add to list Share. Someone who's excitable easily becomes excited, enthusiastic, or eager.
someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures. synonyms: hedonist, pagan. types: Corinthian, man-about-town, playboy. a man devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. type of: sensualist.
10. Thrill seeking. "Many psychopaths describe 'doing crime' for excitement or thrills," writes Hare, who explains that psychopaths tend to be adrenaline junkies. Corporate psychopaths might not hold up banks to get their kicks, but they almost certainly like the thrill of risk-taking.
In fact, a 2016 study of parachute jumpers found that personality is the greatest predictor of whether a person is likely to undertake risky behavior. 1 High anxiety sensation seeking may characterize the so-called "adrenaline junkie."
Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a stress hormone. An adrenaline rush can feel like anxiousness, nervousness, or pure excitement as your body and mind are preparing for an event. There are certain activities like skydiving and bungee jumping that give you an adrenaline rush.