Spooky season is here which also means it’s perfect weather to curl up with a blanket, a mug of something warm and a spinetingling novel. From Edgar Allen Poe to Stephen King, scary stories have long held a special place in my tell tale heart. Who doesn’t love to get creeped out and hide under their covers, biting their nails, on the edge of their seats from a good book? Not only is reading fun, it’s also a proven way to keep your brain healthy and sharp! According to healthline.com, “A growing body of research indicates that reading literally changes your mind.”
Using MRI scans, researchers have confirmed that reading involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. As your reading ability matures, those networks also get stronger and more sophisticated.
In one study, conducted in 2013, researchers used functional MRI scans to measure the effect of reading a novel on the brain. Study participants read the novel “Pompeii” over a period of 9 days. As tension built in the story, more and more areas of the brain lit up with activity.
Brain scans showed that throughout the reading period and for days afterward, brain connectivity increased, especially in the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to physical sensations like movement and pain.”
With that in mind, here’s some scary stories presented for your enjoyment to implement into your spooky season!
