Goosebumps: How do they occur and when
Most of us experience various body sensations like goosebumps almost every day. However, have you ever wondered how they occur and what are the most relevant causes that led to them? Sure, feeling cold is one major and the most common reason but many lesser-known causes also contribute to the goosebumps in you at different points in time.
Goosebumps occur when your nervous system triggers your skin muscles
Goosebumps occur when your sympathetic nervous system triggers the small muscles present at the base of your hair follicles to contract. This muscle contraction causes the hair to stand upright and the follicles to become rigid, pointed, or grainy. Although goosebumps have nothing to do with geese, but rather, the skin takes on a texture resembling that of a bird. Hence, the name.
Cold temperatures induce goosebumps
In both humans and animals, cold weather can lead to goosebumps and it is because of the subconscious release of a stress hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline causes the skin muscles to contract and in animals, it is a flight-or-fight response to prepare them to face danger. In humans, however, the brain signals the body that it needs to warm up as it's too cold.
You experience goosebumps when you are scared or shocked
Watching a horror movie and feeling those goosebumps creeping in with every scary scene? Or do you experience them when you hear of a chilling crime or a traumatic incident? Experts believe that goosebumps traditionally acted as a flight-or-fight response in our ancestors, which is why they occur even today when we sense danger around us. Although they don't help tackle the danger.
Music can also leave you with goosebumps
According to BBC, when you listen to your favorite song, it can cause an intense psychological and physiological reaction. This reaction can often induce goosebumps and a host of other physical sensations like shivers and a lump in the throat, according to a report published by Discovery. And no, it is not a disorder but just your skin muscles probably dancing.
Strong emotions can also cause goosebumps
Strong emotions like achievement, excitement, and surprise can also cause your skin muscles to contract. According to experts, even being awestruck or angry can cause some really strong body sensations including goosebumps, which have no role to play. Sometimes when you are also anxious about something, you may experience them. Even people with withdrawal effects, when they quit something, can feel goosebumps.
