If you know someone who enjoys skydiving, free solo rock climbing, or motocross, you might be acquainted with an adventure enthusiast.

What was once perceived as a “high” limited to extreme sports like base jumping can also emerge from engaging in more accessible activities that involve a higher risk. For instance, someone might go rock climbing without safety gear (free soloing) or a mountain biker might ride over a jump without holding onto the handlebars, heightening the thrill.

Emily Hemendinger, clinical director of the Intensive Outpatient Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, notes that common signs of an adventure seeker include routinely taking part in potentially risky or unhealthy activities “for the thrill,” or feeling a strong, ongoing desire to engage in such experiences. These individuals may also display impulsiveness, spontaneity, and a continuous craving for new adventures, she says.

What defines an adventure seeker?

While many refer to extreme sports enthusiasts as adventure seekers, mental health experts describe them as “thrill seekers” or “high sensation seekers.” This latter term was coined by the late psychologist Marvin Zuckerman, who theorized that such individuals enjoy “chasing intense sensations and are willing to take significant risks to have those experiences,” explains Kenneth Carter, a psychology professor at Oxford College of Emory University and author of “Buzz! Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkies.”

These individuals might engage in activities such as mountaineering, ice climbing, white-water rafting, big wave surfing, highlining, bungee jumping, downhill mountain biking, stunt cycling, and extreme skateboarding. “Any risky behavior that elicits intense feelings and a ‘rush’ can activate the emotional responses thrill seekers are looking for,” says Marc Dingman, a biobehavioral health scientist at The Pennsylvania State University.

Often, people become adventurous sports enthusiasts after being introduced to these activities by friends, family, or colleagues, discovering that they revel in the accompanying sensations. “Thrill seekers may also have a genetic predisposition for psychiatric disorders, heightened impulsivity, and a lower tolerance for boredom,” notes Hemendinger. “They might display impatience, self-centeredness, and struggles with accepting and managing failure.”

What type of ‘high’ do adventure seekers pursue?

Regardless of what drives one’s desire to engage in extreme activities, the experiences and physical reactions tend to be consistent. “There’s a lot happening in the body when we face thrilling or dangerous challenges,” Carter explains. He mentions that common physical reactions include the release of hormones like cortisol — which helps activate our fight-or-flight response — and dopamine — “a neurotransmitter that brings feelings of enjoyment.”

Typically, heart rates increase, digestion slows down (“which might cause the feeling of butterflies in your stomach,” says Carter), pupils widen, reflexes speed up, lungs expand to boost airflow, and muscles contract. Many of these changes are also triggered by two additional hormones and neurotransmitters: adrenaline and noradrenaline — “which drive these physical transformations,” adds Dingman.

Can extreme sports be addictive?

Due to the higher amounts of hormones released during hazardous activities, some people assume extreme sports are addictive, coining the term adventure “junkie.” However, the situation is more complex.

While engaging in dangerous sports is unlikely to reach the level of addiction seen in drugs or alcohol, Holly Blake, a professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Nottingham, states that “some studies suggest certain extreme sport enthusiasts can experience withdrawal symptoms when they take a break from their sport, resembling the withdrawal seen in those with substance or behavioral addictions.”

The likelihood of such cravings increases with frequency of the extreme activity. “Similar to drugs and alcohol, the more often you engage in addictive behavior, the more tolerance you build, necessitating greater engagement to achieve the same ‘high’ again,” says Hemendinger.

Signs that an extreme sport or activity might be turning into an addiction parallel those associated with substance dependency or compulsive behaviors like gambling, she explains. “Indicators to watch for include dismissing the risks involved, deceiving yourself or others about the dangers, being rigid about participating (getting upset when unable to do so), or allowing the activity to disrupt personal relationships or work responsibilities,” she advises.

Is being an adventure seeker acceptable?

Monitoring for these signs can be beneficial in assessing whether sporadically engaging in risky sports or activities has escalated into a situation that may lead to unintended injuries or harm. “The more you take part in risky activities, the greater the chance of injury,” warns Carter.

To mitigate the potential downsides of indulging in extreme sports, Hemendinger suggests limiting participation frequency, avoiding unnecessary risks, wearing safety gear, and trusting your instincts if a particular stunt seems potentially dangerous. “Also, listen to friends and family if they urge you to scale back on your adventurous pursuits,” advises Carter. “They might recognize hazards where you don’t.”