It starts with a podcast on your commute. A Netflix binge after dinner. A YouTube rabbit hole before bed. For many, true crime has become a go-to way to unwind. But psychologists say that comfort might be masking something deeper. The genre’s popularity raises questions about how we process trauma, fear, and justice.
The Rise of True Crime Culture
True crime has gone mainstream. Once a niche genre, it now streams alongside rom-coms and dramas, drawing millions with every release. Each new series sparks online buzz, Reddit threads, and amateur investigations. Viewers dig into case files, map timelines, and debate motives. While that scavenger hunt can be informative and sometimes empowering, it also prompts a deeper look at why we turn to tragedy for entertainment.
Audio platforms have followed suit. True crime podcasts now dominate listening charts, pulling audiences with suspenseful storytelling and the promise of answers. But experts say that comfort might not be what it seems.
Why Do We Relax to Violence?
In a 2023 interview on The Mel Robbins Podcast, clinical psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant warned that watching true crime to relax may signal unresolved trauma. “If your idea of relaxing before bed is watching three episodes of Law & Order,” she said, “then I would encourage you to think about why is trauma relaxing to you.”
@melrobbins If your idea of “relaxing” before bed is watching a few episodes of Law & Order (or any other true crime show), listen up. @dr.thema has a really important question for you to ask yourself: “Why is trauma relaxing to me?” This was just ONE of the many incredible mic drop moments and knowledge bombs that Dr. Thema, the current president of the American Psychological Association, drops in this episode. Listen now! 🎧 “6 Signs You’re Disconnected From Your Power and How to Get It Back: Life-Changing Advice From the Remarkable Dr. Thema Bryant” #melrobbins #melrobbinspodcast #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts ♬ original sound – Mel Robbins
This goes beyond personal preference. It reflects patterns of emotional regulation. According to Dr. Chivonna Childs of the Cleveland Clinic, repeated exposure to violent content can increase anxiety, skew our perception of danger, and desensitize us to real-world harm. What starts as curiosity can turn into a coping mechanism, one that numbs rather than heals.
What Happens in the Brain?
True crime doesn’t just entertain. It stimulates the brain in specific ways. According to a recent article from NeuroLaunch, watching true crime can activate the brain’s reward system. Each twist, clue, or reveal may trigger a release of dopamine, the chemical that helps us feel pleasure and motivation. That’s part of why the genre feels satisfying or even addictive.
But there’s another side. Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, can spike during intense or disturbing scenes. This can lead to sleep disruption, emotional fatigue, or increased anxiety, especially when the content is consumed regularly or late at night.
Experts also point out that our brains are wired to scan for threats. True crime taps into that instinct, offering a sense of control or preparedness. But when consumed too often, it can reinforce fear rather than reduce it.
In short, true crime can feel rewarding and informative. But it also has the potential to overstimulate the nervous system, particularly when it becomes part of a nightly routine.
True Crime, True Fixation
In 2025, Boston University researcher and assistant professor Dr. Kathryn Coduto, published a peer-reviewed study that helps explain why true crime feels so immersive and why it can be hard to stop watching, scrolling, or posting about it.
Her research looked at how people engage with crime stories online, especially when those stories are still unfolding. She found that many viewers experience something called cognitive preoccupation, which means they can’t stop thinking about the case. That mental pull often leads to compulsive behavior, like constantly checking for updates or posting theories on social media.
Coduto also introduced the term forensic fandom, a detective-like mindset where everyday people try to solve crimes using online clues. Social media platforms make this easy by offering visibility, shareability, and real-time updates. But the easier it is to engage, the harder it becomes to disconnect. Her study found that:
- People who felt emotionally connected to victims or perpetrators (called parasocial relationships) were more likely to post compulsively about the case.
- Compulsive posting and scrolling were linked to negative outcomes, including emotional distress, disrupted sleep, and difficulty focusing on work or school.
- Women were especially likely to experience emotional strain, often because they saw themselves in the victims or felt a need to stay informed for safety.
Whose Stories Get Seen and Whose Don’t
Most of the cases participants follow involve missing or murdered white women. These stories often receive widespread media coverage, which makes them easier to follow and more visible across platforms.
But this pattern is not random. Research has consistently shown that white victims, especially women, are more likely to receive national attention compared to Black, Indigenous, or other marginalized victims. This imbalance influences which stories people see, share, and emotionally invest in. It also means that many cases involving people of color are overlooked, underreported, or forgotten entirely.
The visibility of a case often determines how deeply people engage with it. When there is more information available, such as news updates, social media posts, or podcasts, it becomes easier for viewers to follow along, form opinions, and feel involved. However, that visibility is often shaped by race, gender, and perceived relatability rather than the facts of the case alone.
This raises a deeper question about whether we’re engaging with the full spectrum of harm or only the stories that are most visible.
What We Can Do Differently
True crime isn’t going away. But how we engage with it can change. Experts suggest setting boundaries around when and how we consume this content. That might mean avoiding it before bed, taking breaks from social media speculation, or choosing stories that honor victims, not exploit them.
It also means being mindful of whose stories we follow. If certain victims are always visible and others are not, we can ask why and seek out coverage that reflects a fuller picture.
True crime can inform and even inspire action. But it can also overwhelm, distort the truth and be distracting. The difference lies in how we choose to engage and whether we’re willing to step back when the story starts to take over.
Resources:
Conquer Overwhelm: Your Ultima… – The Mel Robbins Podcast – Apple Podcasts
How True Crime can Impact your Mental Health
True Crime’s Psychological Impact: Mental Health Effects Explored
Compulsive use of social media in emerging crime news stories: Perceived channel affordances and forensic fandom.
