• Question: why do we have the feeling people call "butterflys"?

    Asked by lindseymerrygold to Christine, Edd, Jess, Nicolas, Zara on 16 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Edward Codling

      Edward Codling answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      I am not sure if people have studied this scientifically or not. I always understood this to be caused by a sudden release of adrenaline when you are suddenly nervous or excited for some reason – blood flow to the stomach is decreased when this happens which causes the physical sensation.

      Scientists sometimes call this type of nervous reaction the ‘fight or flight’ response as it is observed in animals as well when they are about to be attacked (they either run away or stand and fight).

      Apparently (according to Wikipedia) it is often a sign of romantic interest!
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflies_in_the_stomach
      (Of course you shouldn’t always believe everything on Wikipedia!)

    • Photo: Zara Gladman

      Zara Gladman answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      I don’t really have anything to add to Edd’s excellent answer!

      But I have to say, I had butterflies when I found out I was selected for “I’m a Scientist!”. I usually get them I’m nervous or excited 🙂

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