“Which U.S. state has the most thrill-seekers?” you ask.

According to Duelbits, the leading crypto casino and sports betting platform, the Google search volume in each U.S. state for three of the most extreme sports in the world, including skydiving, rock climbing, and bungee jumping, determined which U.S. states are home to the biggest risk-takers in the United States.

Hawaiians led the rankings as the biggest thrill-seekers in the U.S. in 2025. With 185 searches per 10,000 people for extreme sports, Hawaii recorded the highest interest nationwide. Despite its smaller population, Hawaiian residents made 26,760 total searches for adrenaline-fueled activities this year.

Washingtonians ranked as the second-biggest thrill-seekers in the U.S. Washington State saw 149.3 searches per 10,000 residents made for extreme sports this year and an impressive 118,800 in total, which is the seventh-highest volume of any state.

New Yorkers ranked as the third-biggest thrill-seekers in the U.S. New York State saw 148.6 searches per 10,000 residents made for extreme sports this year and a huge 295,200 in total, which is the third-highest volume of any state.

Californians were found to be fourth on the rankings of thrill-seekers in the U.S., with 147.3 Google searches for extreme sports per 10,000 people in California. Californians also made the most total searches for extreme sports in the U.S. this year, with a whopping 580,800 people Googling for skydiving, rock climbing, and bungee jumping.

New Jerseyans rounded out the top five thrill-seeking states in the U.S. New Jerseyans made 130,800 total searches for extreme sports in 2025, and with 137.7 searches per 10,000 people, New Jersey firmly established itself among the United States’ leading hotspots for thrill-seekers.

In contrast, the state home to the least thrill-seeking Americans was found to be North Dakota, with only 3,600 searches made for extreme sports so far this year — just 45.2 searches per 10,000 people.

Duelbits’ methodology consisted of three parts: the Google search volume was sourced from Google Ads Keyword Planner, the search terms analyzed included: “skydiving,” “rock climbing,” and “bungee jumping,” and to work out the number of searches per 10,000 people, Duelbits divided the total number of searches made in 2025 by each state’s population.

Adrenaline, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, increases rates of blood circulation, breathing, carbohydrate metabolism, and prepares muscles for exertion. Adrenaline rushes happen to thrill-seekers who do thrill-seeking activities, also known as adrenaline activities.

Thrill-seeking activities can be completed year-round, with the preferred climate of a thrill-seeker. From ice cross karting on an ice driving circuit to slacklining on a short line between two trees, there isn’t a shortage of thrill-seeker activities that lead to adrenaline rushes among thrill-seekers. Testing the limits can feel so energetic, so no need to fear being judged by others.

Thrill-seeking activities offer a wide range of benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, mental health, and personal growth. However, thrill-seeking activities come with risks like injury, death, and the potential for a significant drop in mood after the thrill-seeking activity. Balancing the thrill and safety is key to engaging in thrill-seeking activities appropriate for one’s skill and health condition.

Some people are drawn to thrill-seeking activities than others, thanks to the psychology of risk-taking. One’s personality, especially the trait of seeking sensation, can determine a desire to be thrill-seeking. One’s brain chemistry, risk-taking, and social and cultural influences can also determine a desire to be thrill-seeking.

Different age groups can complete thrill-seeking activities. Teenagers between 13 and 17 years old can experiment with positive risk-taking behaviors such as canoeing, rock climbing, and martial arts. 10-year-olds can test out camping adventures, local farm visits, and outdoor scavenger hunts. Sensation-seeking ways can be manifested in many ways, from physical challenges to social norms, so parents and guardians should encourage children to achieve healthy exploration while keeping risks in mind.

Thrill-seeking activities aren’t limited to exploring the great outdoors. Those looking to add a thrill-seeking element to a birthday party can provide excitement and fun to guests. Capture the Flag, a team-based game where players work together to capture the opposing team’s flag, would be a great start, thanks to the teamwork and strategy tests. Minute to Win It Challenges, or stations with quick tasks like stacking cups and decorating cookies, would allow guests to win prizes. And, for the faint of heart, tandem skydiving can provide guests with adrenaline rushes while providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Thrill-seekers can benefit from thrill-seeking activities in more ways than one. The average thrill-seeker can experience an increase in growth, emotional regulation, skill development, mental health benefits, and social connections. Thrill-seekers who participate in activities like axe throwing and escape rooms use critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Thrill-seekers who go solo in adventurous experiences can gain new connections after experiencing new social interactions.

At the end of the day, thrill-seeking activities can help individuals and groups grow. However, just like everything else, a thrill-seeking activity contains possible cons, as mentioned earlier. Extreme sports can lead to a cycle of seeking higher risk, like in substance abuse. If moderation isn’t intact, an addiction and even a legal issue like a traffic ticket or collision can add insult to injury.