In a world where everything seems to pile up - the stress, the pressure, the expectations, the emotional exhaustion - it was only a matter of time before a response that is as primitive as it is necessary: shouting. Literally like this. And not in the shower, not in the car, but in the car. together, in community, in the middle of a park or a square. Welcome to the scream clubs, The latest wellness trend that is flourishing in cities such as London, Minneapolis and Washington.
It might sound extravagant, but when you dig a little deeper you discover something very simple: sometimes, we need to go back to the essential. To that visceral gesture that frees, connects and decompresses. And above all, we need to do it accompanied.
Shouting so as not to explode: why people gather to free their voices
Scream clubs are born as a communal emotional refuge. Young people -and not so young- who are looking for a space where they can let go of everything they have been repressing for days, weeks or years. A safe “third space”, without cost, without judgement and without obligation to “be well”. There, for a few seconds, they scream. Nothing more. And nothing less.
Those who participate describe the experience as a mixture of extreme vulnerability and deep connection. Because exposing yourself in front of strangers is, paradoxically, a form of intimacy. And because shouting in a group, far from getting out of control, generates an unexpected sense of belonging. What is shared does not weigh the same.
Moreover - and this explains the boom - scream clubs are a community response to something we all recognise: the difficulty of accessing psychological support, the long waiting times in public systems, the cost of private therapy, and the silent epidemic of loneliness that is growing in big cities.
Does it have real health benefits?
Science has not yet put a definitive seal on it, but we do know a number of things:
- vocal release activates neurological pathways associated with relief and decompression;
- can increase a sense of control and reduce pent-up tension;
- collective vocal practices (such as singing) improve mood and social connection;
- and group membership has a clear protective effect against stress.
Anecdotally, participants talk about sleeping better, feeling less anxious and, above all, taking a big sigh that they were not aware they needed.
Of course, there are nuances: shouting badly or too much can irritate the voice; some people may experience emotional overload; and of course, it is no substitute for professional therapy if there is a deep-seated problem. But as a timely, conscious and safe practice, it seems to offer a very effective release valve.
Wellness has entered a fascinating phase: it is returning to the instinctive. We have moved from the sophisticated (sound baths, biohacking, multi-layered rituals) to the primal: breathing, walking, connecting... and now, screaming.
Is it a business opportunity? Yes, without a doubt. Experiences with low investment and high emotional impact that fit perfectly into the new wellness map. But it is also more than a marketing fad. It is a symptom and a solution. People don't come to scream for fun; they come because they can't find safe spaces to express intense emotions.
What will be interesting will be to see how health centres, spas and wellness hotels integrate this trend in natural settings: forests, beaches, mountains. In fact, some places already offer “wild wellness” sessions, where nature acts as an emotional container.
So, do they work?
Perhaps it is most honest to say that they work because they respond to a human need. They work because they remind us that we are not alone. That our bodies know how to express what our minds are silent about. That releasing tension in community is deeply restorative.
Scream clubs may not be the ultimate solution to mental health in our age, but they are a powerful reminder: in a world that demands constant containment, sometimes healing begins with the very opposite.
