Fireworks Effect on Your Brain

Fireworks have been around for centuries and have dazzled and amazed us ever since their creation. Fireworks are a complex series of chemicals that burn off and emit color using elements such as Copper, Barium and Strontium. Copper emits blue sparks, Barium makes green sparks and Strontium red sparks. From their conception by the Taoist Monks in China to their involvement with the 4th of July, fireworks have been an intricate part of life and celebration around the world, but just what is it that makes these explosive rockets appealing to us?

Research has been conducted that can measure the effects of fireworks on the brain. A subject is hooked up to a monitor that measures neuron activity within the brain. The control of the experiment was done by having the subject look up at an empty night sky as their neuron level was recorded. Then the fireworks show kicks off and again the neuron level is observed.

The blank, empty and dark night sky produced little to no unusual neuron activity within the subjects. Then once the show started the activity jumped dramatically as the brain was simulated by the bright lights, color and overall noise of the show. Then once the finale segments of the shows were seen by the subject, the neuron levels jumped off the chart. Many people submitted to this test admitted that halfway through the experiment they forgot about the leads they were hooked up to completely. So just what is it that causes this stimulation?

Well on an average basis the brain is stimulated by color and noise. That's why infants love toys that are bright and make lots of interesting noises. So the brighter the fireworks and the more vibrant the colors the greater the impact on our brains. Also the noise used in the explosions of fireworks is a major factor in their draw. Loud and infrequent erratic noises keep us on our toes and cause us to pay more attention, further stimulating our minds.

The biggest reason that fireworks are enjoyed by humans is the controlled fear factor fireworks bring to us. Just like a roller coaster, fireworks give of the feeling we may be in danger, but in a controlled setting and in an environment in which we know we are safe. The release of adrenalin coupled with the controlled fear factor puts our minds in a state of euphoria known as Eustress. This is a state where our minds are at their most stimulated state due to the fear factor, noise, and vibrant colors all combined into one incredible show or moment.

So there you have it, the true reason that fireworks are so appealing to us. Every 4th of July American businesses spend about 300 million dollars on pyro techniques, incorporating tons of explosives into their shows. And due to the stimulating nature of fireworks it's no wonder our founding father John Adams said that they should remain a part of our heritage during 4th of July celebrations form 1776 onward. Even Disney is onboard the fireworks bandwagon launching one of the largest displays of fireworks anywhere in the world each and every night of the year at every one of their attractions world wide! Now that's a lot of explosions.