Thrill-Seeking and the Search for Meaning: How Adrenaline Pumps of Colorado Inspire People to Embrace Life’s Adventures

Looking for a thrilling adventure? Colorado has got you covered. The state is known for its adrenaline-pumping activities such as rafting, mountain biking, skydiving, and more. But what drives people to seek out these experiences?

For Laura Kelley, the idea of jumping out of a plane thousands of feet above the Earth was always a dream. She recalls, “It’s something that has been on my list since I was five or six years old.” Originally from Arkansas, Kelley moved to Colorado 18 years ago to fully embrace the state’s adventurous offerings. However, in 2020, her active lifestyle came to a halt after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Determined to regain her mobility, Kelley knew that once she was able, she would go to extreme lengths to experience the thrill of adventure. She explains, “Sometimes when life feels out of control, doing an adventurous high-risk thing can be a way to not experience the risk and not control the risk.”

Emily Hemendinger, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the relationship individuals have with the outdoors. She warns, “The more we do it [high-risk activities], a lot of times is that increased tolerance to the adrenaline rush and that enjoyment always having to up the ante and do more and more and more… can turn it into a striving mentality of what’s next can make it really addictive and lead to more dangerous mindsets.” In light of this, Kelley believes that life itself is an adventure worth pursuing to its fullest extent.

Overall, Colorado offers a plethora of opportunities for thrill-seekers like Laura Kelley who are drawn to high-risk activities like skydiving. While the rush of adrenaline can be exhilarating, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between