A good firework show is always fun to watch. To watch the fireworks lit up the night sky and watching the colours spread on the black backdrop puts up a spectacular show. And as much as we love watching them, it is only because it induces a fear among us. A scientific study has answered as to what makes seeing fireworks euphoric? Daniel Glaser, a neuroscientist says the answer lies in fear.

The bright flashes warn of something- like a booming thunder, but at the same time, you are assured that you are safe. The boom sound or popping noise activates the amygdala, a part of the nerves in the brain that detects fear. The lights give anticipation of a threat. There is also a release of dopamine- a chemical which regulates pleasure. The fireworks-induced fear is a controlled. Watching the firework show for a while, your brain registers that the sound comes before the lights spark.

This is the opposite of a thunderstorm in which thunder follows lightning. But in that case, we do not know how loud the next boom will be and also when it would strike. In case of watching the fireworks, the situation is still in a controlled manner. According to Glaser, "People seem to be excited by the anticipation of a slightly scary experience. Fireworks repeatedly set up this expectation. Each flash generates the anticipation of a bang, and that satisfaction seems to be what’s exciting about the display."

The study also explains how animals, typically dogs get scared when they hear of a loud noise, be it of thundering or fireworks. Animals are caught off guard of the sounds and do not have the anticipation of the next boom. Humans, on the other hand, are also mesmerising because of the novel factor of colours in the sky. The sparkling colours, along with the dazzling effect which eventually dissolves in the dark sky stimulate our neurons. Also, we are wired in a way that we will always look at the light, and we cannot look away from them. So fire popping ones in the middle of the sky will still be attractive, but it will be induced with fear.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2018 03:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).