This episode contains discussions of fear, anxiety, and other mental health issues. If these topics are

triggering for you, this may be a good episode to skip. The information in this episode is for

informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,

diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek

the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you hear

on a podcast. Reliance on any information provided in this episode is solely at your own risk.

If you think you're having a medical emergency, call your doctor or local emergency number immediately. Humans are fascinated by gore and violence, but even more so the mysterious and unsolved.

Interest in these disturbing and unpleasant subjects is called morbid curiosity, and it has gripped millions of people throughout

the ages. I am one of those people. My name is Halley, and this is the Morbid Curiosity podcast.

From Doon by Frank Herbert.

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind killer.

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

What sparks fear in you? Social situations, exams, medical assessments, certain animals or environments,

being alone in the city, the wilderness, or at the sea, darkness? Some of these fears are ancient, and some have developed in response to our rapidly expanding and evolving world.

While fear is mostly seen as a negative response to stress,

...