For most people, traveling to every country on Earth sounds like the ultimate dream, filled with endless adventure, new cultures, and unforgettable stories. Yet, as YouTuber Drew Binsky discovered, even a dream that grand can have moments of fear and vulnerability. Binsky, who has visited all 197 countries and shared his experiences with over six million followers, recently revealed the destinations where he felt the most unsafe. His reflections are not just about danger but about what it truly means to feel unsafe and how the human mind reacts when comfort and control disappear.
In one of his most unsettling experiences, Binsky described Guyana as one of the most uncomfortable places he has visited. When he arrived at his hostel in the capital city of Georgetown, staff members told him not to leave the building after dark. “Have your dinner and come back, we’re going to lock you inside,” they warned him. It was the first time he had been told to stay indoors for safety, a moment that even a seasoned traveler could not easily brush off. According to the U.S. State Department, Guyana faces significant crime risks, including armed robbery and limited law enforcement response, which adds weight to the staff’s warning.
Binsky also shared another intense experience in Mogadishu, Somalia, where he traveled with armed guards and bulletproof vehicles to avoid attacks. “Every time you leave your hotel, you have to have a convoy with four military guys sitting on the back of trucks with AK-47s,” he recalled. Despite his experience and preparedness, he admitted that the constant sense of threat created deep unease. These stories highlight how travel, while thrilling, can also expose the body and mind to stress and anxiety in ways we rarely anticipate.
Made in Canada inflation, @DanAlbas?
— Bill Rice 🦋 (@2muchfun4me) March 8, 2023
This is youtube world traveler sensation Drew Binsky in Africa, in an impoverished Saharan village, and the locals are complaining about the rising costs of everything. pic.twitter.com/CT3rLxJZEb
The Psychology of Feeling Unsafe
Fear while traveling is not only an emotional reaction; it is a physical state rooted in biology. When the brain detects potential danger, the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing fear, releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals prepare the body to respond, quickening the pulse and sharpening awareness. This reaction is an evolutionary survival mechanism, but when it continues for too long, it begins to harm rather than protect us.
A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that travelers in high-risk areas experience elevated cortisol levels, disrupted sleep, and a reduced ability to make clear decisions, even when no actual threat occurs. This constant state of vigilance, known as hypervigilance, makes the body behave as though danger is always present. For someone like Binsky, being told not to go outside could trigger this exact biological reaction, leaving him tense, restless, and unable to fully relax. Prolonged stress of this kind can affect digestion, mood, and immunity, which is why travelers who experience extreme fear often become sick or exhausted shortly afterward.
Chronic exposure to perceived threats creates a kind of emotional fatigue. The body was never designed to stay on alert for long periods, and when it does, systems like digestion and sleep begin to break down. Even minor triggers, such as unfamiliar noises or crowds, can cause physical discomfort. This is why some travelers experience anxiety or sleeplessness after returning home, a lingering condition sometimes called post-travel anxiety. It is a sign that the nervous system has not yet recalibrated from the constant readiness it maintained during the trip.
Understanding this psychology is the first step toward addressing it. Once travelers realize that fear is not just in their imagination but a measurable biological process, they can begin to use grounding and mindfulness techniques to help the body return to balance. Feeling unsafe is not a sign of weakness; it is the body’s way of saying it needs reassurance and stability.
When Adventure Meets Anxiety
The modern travel culture often glamorizes risk. Social media is filled with breathtaking photos from abandoned cities, dangerous hikes, and remote expeditions that give the illusion of fearlessness. But the truth is that even experienced travelers can find themselves battling anxiety behind the camera lens. The drive to explore the unknown activates dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical that gives us a rush of excitement. That same chemical surge can make adventure addictive, pushing travelers to take on more risk than they realize.
The trouble begins when excitement turns into constant tension. The brain can confuse stimulation with threat, keeping the body in a state of alertness. Over time, this leads to fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbances. A 2021 paper in Tourism Management Perspectives found that travelers who regularly seek high-risk experiences often experience anticipatory stress, meaning they worry about what might go wrong long before it happens. This kind of mental strain is invisible but powerful, affecting digestion, concentration, and decision-making in real time.
For someone like Drew Binsky, the difference between excitement and anxiety may be razor thin. What begins as a thrilling journey can quickly become overwhelming when danger feels near. Yet this is not a sign to stop exploring but a reminder to travel with self-awareness. Real resilience comes not from ignoring fear but from respecting it, understanding its purpose, and learning how to respond in ways that protect both mental and physical health.
The healthiest travelers recognize that fear is part of the experience. It is the body’s way of saying, “Stay alert, but stay grounded.” When managed well, it heightens awareness and deepens appreciation for the places we visit.
How Our Brains Judge Risk Abroad
Risk is not objective; it is personal. Two travelers can walk through the same crowded market and feel entirely different things. One may feel energized by the sights and sounds, while the other may feel suffocated by uncertainty. This difference is shaped by personality, past experiences, and how the brain processes information about danger. Psychologists refer to this as subjective risk bias, where emotion outweighs logic in our decision-making.
Many travelers fear violent crime abroad but ignore far more common risks like traffic accidents, dehydration, or foodborne illness. According to the World Health Organization, most travel-related hospitalizations occur due to infections, poor sanitation, or lack of proper hydration, not from crime or terrorism. This gap between perceived and actual danger can distort how people plan and behave during their trips. They might overprepare for extreme scenarios while neglecting simple, practical health measures.
Understanding risk perception helps travelers make rational choices instead of emotional ones. It encourages preparation grounded in data rather than fear. Reading official travel advisories, understanding local customs, and learning basic safety etiquette can replace panic with confidence. When the mind feels informed, it releases its grip on anxiety. By separating real danger from imagined risk, travelers can enjoy a deeper and safer experience of the world.
In the end, how safe you feel abroad often depends less on where you are and more on how you interpret what you see. Awareness, preparation, and adaptability are the best forms of protection.
Made in Canada inflation, @DanAlbas?
— Bill Rice 🦋 (@2muchfun4me) March 8, 2023
This is youtube world traveler sensation Drew Binsky in Africa, in an impoverished Saharan village, and the locals are complaining about the rising costs of everything. pic.twitter.com/CT3rLxJZEb
Staying Grounded: Mental Health Tools for Travelers
Travel wellness begins long before the flight takes off. A healthy trip starts with preparation, both practical and emotional. Before visiting a new country, learn about its geography, safety protocols, and cultural expectations. Reliable information helps replace fear with understanding. When you know what to expect, uncertainty loses its power. For destinations with complex safety profiles, it helps to read firsthand traveler reports rather than relying on sensational headlines.
Once you’re on the ground, focus on keeping your nervous system calm. Grounding techniques are invaluable tools. Deep breathing, gentle stretching, or simply noticing your surroundings can help reset the body’s stress response. If you find yourself growing tense or suspicious, pause and observe. Look around, listen to the sounds, and take slow, steady breaths. These sensory cues signal to your body that you are in control, which reduces anxiety within minutes.
Establishing a safety routine can also ease stress. Share your itinerary with friends or family, check in regularly, and familiarize yourself with local emergency contacts. These habits provide a sense of control, which is one of the strongest buffers against fear. Remember to rest, hydrate, and eat regularly, as physical depletion magnifies emotional stress. Lack of sleep or nutrition makes even small challenges feel insurmountable.
Finally, stay curious rather than fearful. The more you understand local culture, language, and customs, the safer you feel. Curiosity opens the door to connection, and connection fosters comfort. Respecting traditions, asking questions, and showing humility can transform nervousness into empathy. When we travel with curiosity rather than defensiveness, we not only stay safer but also return home more enriched.
When “Unsafe” Becomes a Mindset
Safety is not only a matter of statistics; it is a state of mind. You can feel unsafe in a peaceful town or feel calm in a chaotic city depending on how prepared and grounded you are. Many travelers underestimate how powerful their perception is in shaping their experience. When people feel powerless, fear grows. When they feel informed and capable, fear fades.
Studies in the Journal of Travel Medicine show that travelers who cultivate a sense of control report significantly less stress, even in high-risk areas. This sense of control comes from knowing what to do if something goes wrong, from being mentally rehearsed rather than caught off guard. Confidence, not denial, is what keeps travelers resilient. Binsky’s decision to stay indoors in Guyana was not fear-driven but wise. It reflected an understanding of when caution is smarter than bravado.
Developing this mindset takes practice. It means learning to trust intuition while staying rational. It also means recognizing that feeling fear does not make you weak; it makes you human. When you can balance caution with curiosity, you discover that safety is both internal and external. The calm you carry within becomes your most reliable travel companion.
From Fear to Freedom: The Healthier Way to See the World
Drew Binsky’s story goes beyond viral intrigue; it reminds us that even the most experienced travelers are vulnerable to fear. Yet, it also shows that fear does not have to dictate our experience. It can become a teacher, helping us understand our limits and grow stronger through awareness. True wellness travel is not about being fearless but about being mindful—knowing when to explore and when to pause.
The healthiest travelers are not those who chase danger or avoid it but those who meet it with presence and preparation. They accept that fear and excitement are two sides of the same coin, both part of the human experience. When we travel with awareness, compassion, and respect for the unknown, we gain more than memories; we gain wisdom.
The world is not divided into safe and unsafe places. It is a complex mosaic of experiences that test and expand us. Learning to move through it calmly and consciously is one of the greatest forms of health there is.
