Adrenaline addicts? Or is DNA?

[Oxymoron]

Adrenaline addicts? Or is it DNA?

After posting a few comments on a thread regarding the Mt. Hood climbers I started thinking about this a bit more and after Mr. Skinny brought it to my attention, this might be worth it's own thread.

Why do people choose to participate in such activities that offer the possibility of death as an outcome? As I've stated in the other thread, I love rollercoasters. I do. The higher and faster, the steeper the drop, it's thrilling. But, deep down, I know, it's a controlled environment. For the most part. I've thought about skydiving, but the possibility of death, well....sort of turns me off.

I enjoy snowboarding, but that doesn't mean I'm going to jump out of a helicopter at the top of some huge mountain in Colorado either. What separates someone like me, who enjoys moderately risky activities with those who choose more intense activities like, skydiving, swimming with sharks, climbing Mt. Everest, or deep sea diving? And for that matter, what about the rest of the people out there who would faint at the site of anything remotely dangerous?

Is it DNA, or is it just an addiction. Furthermore, would it be possible to turn someone who is not a risk taker, into someone who suddenly feels the "need for speed"?

 

[Dark Jaguar]

I've heard both ideas presented, and it may be a combination of the two.

I myself? I'm not really into "thrills", even safe ones, well not really. I just think "okay, I'm being propelled this way and that, what's the big deal?". That's just me though. If there was a dragon to slay, then maybe, but as a general rule such things don't leave me with any sense of accomplishment.

 

[Dogdoctor]

I think you can learn to enjoy the adrenalin pumping moments that come from doing things that are not so dangerous and gradually improve your skills to where those activities no longer provide adrenalin causing you to have to do more inherently dangerous things to get the same adrenalin high.
eta: there is probably some genetic predisposition in there somewhere.

 

[Solus]

Everything we do has do with what's in our genetic code. The environment plays a role as well. The old nature vs nurture thing. Any rate I prefer less risky activities myself. I'll stick to golf and leave sky diving to move adventurous souls.