True crime Why crime podcasts can ease your anxiety

Is that podcast affecting your wellbeing?

Heard a riveting true crime podcast lately? If not, then your girlfriends probably have. But is our appetite for true crime making us anxious? And why are we so drawn to these tragic tales of missing people, such as The Teacher’s Pet, which had over 28 million downloads?

Human fascination with good and evil is nothing new – think Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and, more recently, high-rating series like Killing Eve. But true-crime podcasts combine real stories with investigative journalism. They give you more intel about the world you live in, while giving your brain a workout too. “To follow a true crime series, you have to keep track of timelines, evidence, expert theories, potential suspects and regulations that influence police investigations and the law,” says Kellie Riordan, Manager of ABC Audio Studios, which has produced Blood

On The Tracks, Trace and Last Seen Katoomba. “For unsolved crimes, the audience is often

trying to find the missing pieces of the puzzle or understand the impact of that crime on society.”

Our obsession with true crime is also linked to our fight-or-flight response, which hard-wires us to look for, and avoid, danger. “When listening to true crime, stress hormones like adrenaline may spike a little, making you momentarily feel tense and even more energised,” says Melbourne psychologist Meredith Fuller. “But by the end of the episode or story, women often feel more empowered to recognise warning signs of potentially risky situations, people and behaviour so they can better protect themselves.” As crime podcasts explore the psychology of criminals and the dark side of human nature, we face our deep-seated fears of crime without any of the danger or trauma.

“Surprisingly, instead of increasing anxiety or keeping you awake, this cathartic experience may make you feel more grateful for the predictability of your life and safety of yourself and your loved ones,” Meredith Fuller adds.