High Sensation Seeking — Crank it to 11!!
What Is High Sensation Seeking?
High Sensation Seeking (HSS) is a personality trait marked by the desire for novelty, intensity, and variety. People who score high in this trait often seek out thrilling experiences—whether that's travel, entrepreneurship, deep conversation, or jumping out of planes (even metaphorically).
The concept was developed by psychologist Marvin Zuckerman, who defined it as:
“The seeking of varied, novel, complex, and intense sensations and experiences, and the willingness to take physical, social, legal, and financial risks for the sake of such experiences.” (Zuckerman, 1994)
If you’ve ever felt like “normal” life just doesn’t offer enough stimulation — this might resonate with you.
You Can Be Both Highly Sensitive and High Sensation Seeking?
Yes. I’m living proof.
As someone who identifies as both Highly Sensitive (HSP) and High Sensation Seeking (HSS), I’ve lived with the internal contradiction of craving depth and intensity — but also needing space, stillness, and emotional safety.
Understanding this dual wiring has been a game-changer — not just in my own healing and growth, but also in how I coach others.
The Four Facets of Sensation Seeking
Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) identifies four key traits:
Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS): A desire for activities involving speed, danger, or novelty (e.g., skydiving, rollercoasters, bungee jumping).
Experience Seeking (ES): A preference for new sensory or mental experiences through music, art, travel, drugs or alcohol.
Disinhibition (DIS): The tendency toward impulsive behavior, particularly in social or sexual contexts.
Boredom Susceptibility (BS): An intolerance for routine or repetitive experiences; prone to restlessness.
(Zuckerman, 1994)
You don’t need to score high in all four to be an HSS. For me, it’s mainly thrill and adventure seeking and experience seeking.
HSS vs. Impulsivity — There’s a Difference
People often confuse sensation seeking with being reckless or impulsive. But research shows they are distinct. Sensation seekers can be calculated risk-takers — motivated more by curiosity and meaning than chaos (Roberti, 2004).
The Double-Edged Sword: Gifts & Challenges of HSS
Strengths:
- Naturally curious and growth-oriented
- High tolerance for change and uncertainty
- Energetic, enthusiastic, and adaptable
- Creative problem solvers
Challenges:
- Prone to burnout or overstimulation
- May jump from project to project
- Can struggle with long-term consistency
- Risk of addictive behaviors or self-sabotage
Coaching Tips for Fellow HSS/HSPs
1. Create Stimulating Routines: Find micro-doses of novelty—new routes, projects, or ideas.
2. Balance your agenda: Schedule downtime after high-intensity experiences.
3. Focus on Meaningful Risks: Ask yourself if risks align with your values.
4. Know Your Triggers: Notice how environments affect your energy.
5. Get Support: Coaching and community can help manage this complexity.
Final Thoughts: The World Needs Sensation Seekers
If you're an HSS (or an HSS/HSP combo like me), you're not "too much" or "too intense” you're wired for expansion. And when you learn to integrate that drive with the sensitivity and depth that also lives within you, you become a force for transformation.
Whether you're craving more alignment, adventure, or authenticity — know that you're not broken. You're just built to feel more, seek more, and live more fully.
Embrace it, and thrive!
References
Aron, E. N., & Aron, A. (1997). Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(2), 345–368. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.73.2.345
Roberti, J. W. (2004). A review of behavioral and biological correlates of sensation seeking. Journal of Research in Personality, 38(3), 256–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(03)00067-9
Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral expressions and biosocial bases of sensation seeking. Cambridge University Press.