Catharsis

Catharsis is a term in the Greek theatre meaning the purification of emotions through art. This was the effect of the tragedy as the main and earliest genre of the Greek theatre. It was originally used by Aristotle in the Poetics.

It was also used in psychology.

Note that Catharsis can feel almost addicting, as purification of “bad emotions” (Sadness, anger, etc) can release certain hormones in the brain that help regulate you back to normal; especially so if aforementioned emotion is extreme. (Catharsis-Seeking)

References

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