According to a new study by British researchers, risk takers stand less chance of getting Parkinson's disease, live longer, and have more friends.
The team of researchers at the Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies in London interviewed 212 people, of whom half had Parkinson's disease and they say they were able to identify a risk-averse "Parkinsonian Personality".
The researchers found that smokers and drinkers seemed to be protected from the disease.
They say sensation seekers appear to have a number of qualities that are firmly linked with healthier living such as having more friends and being more optimistic and suggest these habits denote a risk-taking personality.
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder which affects movement and becomes more common in older age.
It remains unclear what causes the disease but it is often associated with a shortage of the brain chemical dopamine which controls connections between nerve cells.
Earlier studies have also suggested a link between smoking and caffeine intake and lower rates of Parkinson's and it is suspected the dopamine system is protected by nicotine and caffeine.
Lead researcher Professor Andrew Lees of the University of London, who led the research, says non-smokers appear to have double the risk of Parkinson's disease but the reasons for that are unclear.
The study found patients with Parkinson's disease had smoked less, drank less alcohol and caffeine and were also found to be low on thrill-seeking and taking risks and higher on anxiety and depression than the comparison group.