What is it that drives some of us to love trying absolutely crazy stuff, like the base jumpers?

Maybe because doing those things make them feel more important? Or maybe because they want attention?

Also I use to read somewhere that doing those things increase the adrenaline and somehow it makes us feel good. Some people may thrive on that.

The first part of your answer is really interesting. I hadn’t even thought of that. And I like adrenaline rushes, to a point. I had a serious OD of adrenaline one time, to the point of shaking for a half hour after, not fun.

@Adirondackwannabe I’m not sure about the adrenaline part. I read it a lot time ago and maybe my memory is messing with me…

Adrenalin works in the brain just like drugs do. People literally get addicted to that sensation and keep pushing the limits over-and-over to get their “fix” just as a junkie might shoot up.

The adrenaline rush is really outstanding. As @gorillapaws says, it can be addictive. If you’ve ever walked away from an accident, you know what the rush is like. To a much lesser degree, horror movies can give the same kind of rush.
It’s really exhilarating!

Maybe a death wish?

Adrenalin, and sometimes crack.

I’ve done crazy, but I’ve never even seen crack, other than the plumbers. And don’t go any further with that.

For the thrill. Some people take LSD. others jump off of cliffs. Others rob banks. Others kill people.

I don’t think the thought of death enters into it @stanleybmanly or rather dying. I think while most thrill junkies will acknowledge the risk of it, it is actually the avoidance of dying after coming as close as possible to it that they are after: cheating death so to speak.

@rojo I couldn’t have phrased that better. It’s tweaking death’s nose and then walking away to live another day. But if you misjudge things death will bite you in the ass.

^^ or smack you into a wall.

It’s the thrill and adrenalin from always pushing the envelope ,and maybe the lack of other responsibilities that keep them doing it well others such as ourselves think their absolutely fuckin nuts.

When younger I did a lot of caving and some required going down and up large holes in the ground on a rope. There were some who thrived on it but for me, I think I focused on the death/dying aspect of it too much and that kept it from being a thrill. It was work, I would do it, cautiously and carefully, because it was required to get to where I wanted to be but I was never one of these who would throw themselves over the edge in wild abandon. Some could walk up to the edge and look down with their toes hanging over. Me, I had to be roped in before I would venture that close. I think one reason I preferred caving to mountain climbing is because most of the time it was dark and you could not see very far below you. but not always as this Rappel into Golondrinas shows. This is NOT me!

@rojo Wow that was cool. Now that got my motor running.

Lack of dopamine autoreceptors.

@rojo ah! yes. It’s all about point of view. Cheating to some is courting to others.

They are late for their funeral?

It’s a rush, a thrill. It makes you feel alive. Adrenaline is a feeling too, just like sadness and happiness.

@elbanditoroso LSD is quite a thrill. I love it because it’s so different than pot or alcohol. It really takes you on a ride and leaves you with an amazing appreciation of life when you’re done.

Whatever drives them drives ME nuts.

I agree with @Mimishu1995 – it’s either the adrenaline rush or something to talk about at parties (or both).