License to Thrill (theory)

The "License to Thrill" theory suggests that individuals who pursue high-risk activities, like extreme sports or adventurous pursuits, do so as a way to fulfill a sense of freedom, excitement, and personal mastery. This behavior acts as a psychological "license" that grants permission to experience intense emotions and push boundaries, often leading to a state of exhilaration or flow. Essentially, it frames such pursuits as a conscious or subconscious acknowledgment of the human desire for thrill, autonomy, and self-expression through daring actions.