Let’s be honest — there’s something weirdly comforting about putting on a true crime documentary while folding laundry or winding down at the end of the day. From podcasts like “Serial” and “Crime Junkie” to binge-worthy Netflix hits like “Making a Murderer” and “Dahmer”, the true crime genre has exploded over the past decade — and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
But have you ever stopped to ask why we’re so hooked?
Why are millions of people — especially women — choosing to listen to stories about murder, stalking, and criminal investigations… for fun?
And more importantly: is this obsession hurting us?
Let’s dive into the psychology behind our collective fascination with true crime — and why experts say we may need to check in with how much of it we consume.
Why We’re Drawn to True Crime: The Psychology Behind the Obsession
1. True Crime Taps Into Our Survival Instincts
At its core, true crime tells stories about danger — and how to avoid it. Psychologists believe we’re biologically wired to pay attention to threats in our environment. So when we hear a story about someone being followed home, attacked in their sleep, or scammed by someone they trusted, our brain lights up and says:
“Pay attention. Learn something. This could help you survive.”
That’s why so many true crime consumers say things like,
“I watch to know what not to do.”
Or: “It helps me feel more prepared.”
In fact, some psychologists refer to this as “threat simulation theory.” We’re watching scary scenarios in a safe environment so that, mentally, we can rehearse what we’d do if it ever happened to us.
2. It Gives Us a Sense of Control in a Chaotic World
Let’s face it — the world feels uncertain. Between pandemics, rising crime rates, climate anxiety, and economic pressure, many of us are walking around with a low-level sense of unease.
True crime offers a weird kind of comfort: it puts the chaos into a neat, linear narrative.
There’s a crime.
There’s an investigation.
There’s a conclusion (well, sometimes).
It satisfies our craving for order, justice, and resolution — even if the world doesn’t always deliver those things.
3. We’re Hardwired for Storytelling — Especially Dark Stories
Humans love stories. We’ve been telling them around campfires for thousands of years. And what kinds of stories hold our attention best?
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Conflict
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Emotion
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Uncertainty
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Danger
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Drama
True crime is the perfect storm of all those elements. Add real people, real consequences, and a few plot twists — and boom, you’ve got a hit podcast or Netflix series.
4. Morbid Curiosity Is… Normal (To a Point)
There’s actually a scientific term for it: morbid curiosity. It’s the tendency to seek out disturbing or taboo content. This doesn’t mean we’re “sick” or “twisted” — it means we’re curious about the limits of human behavior.
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What makes someone kill?
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How could someone do something that awful?
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Could I have seen the signs?
It’s the same reason we slow down when driving past an accident. We don’t want to see something awful… but we kind of do.
Why It Might Not Be Healthy: The Hidden Cost of Consuming Too Much True Crime
While the true crime genre can be fascinating, even educational — it also comes with potential downsides. And they’re not often talked about.
1. It Can Increase Anxiety and Paranoia
If you’re watching stories of kidnappings and unsolved murders before bed every night… don’t be surprised if you start feeling more anxious than usual.
Studies have shown that exposure to violent or fear-based media can:
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Raise cortisol (the stress hormone)
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Make you feel less safe
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Trigger hypervigilance or paranoia
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Distort your perception of how dangerous the world actually is
You might find yourself double-checking your locks, looking over your shoulder in parking lots, or feeling a general sense of unease in your daily life — even if the crime rate in your area hasn’t changed.
2. It Can Desensitize You to Real-Life Tragedy
There’s a fine line between learning about a crime and turning it into entertainment.
The true crime industry often walks that line — and sometimes crosses it.
When we binge horrific stories for “fun,” we risk forgetting that these are real people with real families. Victims can be reduced to plot points. Trauma becomes a cliffhanger.
This desensitization not only affects our empathy — it can also distort how we react to real-world violence. If everything starts to feel like a podcast episode, we may lose our sense of proportion and compassion.
3. It May Reinforce Gendered Fear Narratives
True crime, especially the kind marketed toward women, often focuses on stories of women being stalked, abducted, or murdered — usually by men they know.
While these are real and serious dangers, the constant repetition of this narrative can:
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Reinforce the idea that women are always in danger
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Promote fear over empowerment
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Lead to internalized anxiety and distrust
Some therapists argue that the genre unintentionally keeps women in a state of hyper-fear, which isn’t empowering — it’s paralyzing.
4. It Can Become an Unhealthy Coping Mechanism
For many people, true crime becomes a nightly ritual. It’s how they unwind. It replaces fiction, comedy, or even human interaction.
And while that might seem harmless, if you’re using these stories to numb out, escape reality, or avoid your own stress, it may be time to reassess.
As one psychologist put it:
“If your nervous system is already overwhelmed, consuming more fear-based content isn’t soothing—it’s self-sabotaging.”
How to Tell If Your True Crime Habit Is Getting Unhealthy
Ask yourself a few honest questions:
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Do I feel more anxious after watching true crime content?
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Have I become numb to violence or victim stories?
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Do I struggle to fall asleep after consuming it?
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Am I avoiding other types of content that make me feel good?
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Does this content empower me… or exhaust me?
If you’re answering “yes” to more than a couple of these, it might be time to take a break — or at least balance things out with lighter content.
So, Should We All Quit True Crime?
Not necessarily.
True crime isn’t inherently bad. It can raise awareness, spotlight systemic issues, and even help solve cold cases. It gives many people a sense of community and validation, especially survivors.
But like anything, it’s about intention and moderation.
Here are a few healthy tips if you want to keep true crime in your life:
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Set limits — Don’t binge hours of it every night.
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Balance your media diet — Add in comedy, music, or uplifting content.
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Check in with your body — If you’re feeling tense or anxious, pause.
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Remember the victims — Don’t let their stories become background noise.
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Ask why you’re drawn to it — Curiosity is fine. Coping through trauma needs support.
Final Thoughts: Fascination Is Fine — But Stay Self-Aware
True crime scratches a deep psychological itch — curiosity, fear, empathy, survival. That’s not a bad thing.
But in 2025, with stress levels high and anxiety more common than ever, it’s worth asking:
What are we really feeding our brains with? And how is it shaping the way we see the world?
If true crime gives you insight or comfort, great. Just make sure it’s not coming at the cost of your mental health, your peace, or your ability to feel safe in your own skin.
